Angina Pectoris (Chest Pain)
What is angina pectoris?
Angina is temporary pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs when not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches your heart muscle. (The term "angina" means "pain," while "pectoris" refers to the chest.) Sometimes angina feels like heartburn, the similar sensations you may get after eating a heavy meal. But if you feel this pain regularly, it may be a symptom of heart disease.
What causes it?
Angina is most often a sign that you have heart disease, specifically a blockage of one or more of the main blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. In fact, angina is the most typical symptom of heart disease. In the United States, approximately 9.8 million people suffer from it. An angina attack occurs when the blocked vessel prevents adequate blood flow, or when there is spasm of the vessel leading to decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.
