Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort caused by a decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. To function properly, your heart muscle needs the oxygen carried by the blood. You may feel pressure or a squeezing ache in your chest if you have angina. Angina is a sign of heart disease that occurs when plaque blocks your arteries, preventing blood rich with oxygen from reaching your heart. Angina is not a life-threatening condition, but it can resemble the symptoms of a heart attack. If angina occurs suddenly, does not go away, or does not respond to rest or medications, seek medical attention immediately.

Angina can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Physical activity
• Stress
• Exposure to cold temperatures
• Excessive use of alcohol or recreational drugs
• Smoking
• Exposure to certain pollution at work
• Lack of physical exercise
• Unhealthy diets
• High cholesterol levels
• Obesity
• A family history of heart diseases such as atherosclerosis
• On-going health conditions such as anemia, low blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and diabetes
• Some medical procedures and treatments

Among the symptoms of angina:

• Chest pain and discomfort, which may be described as pressure, squeezing, burning, or fullness
• Experience pain in your arms, neck, jaw, shoulder, back throat, or teeth
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Nausea, or feeling sick in the stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating