What is angina, and what are the symptoms of angina?
Angina (angina pectoris – Latin for squeezing of the chest) is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis. Angina is usually felt as: • pressure, • heaviness, • tightening, • squeezing, or • aching across the chest, particularly behind the breastbone. This pain often radiates to the neck, jaw, arms, back, or even the teeth.
