More than 6 million Americans experience angina—a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen. It’s typically caused by coronary artery disease (CAD).

Most people who have angina have stable angina. This means there’s usually a pattern to how the pain starts and stops. The good news is that you can manage stable angina effectively. Learning about why it develops is a good place to start.

Reduced Blood Flow
With CAD, plaque, or fatty deposits, builds up on artery walls. As a result, arteries narrow, slowing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When the heart is working hard— for example, during physical activity or emotional stress—it needs more oxygen. Stable angina tends to flare up at these times because the heart has difficulty getting the extra oxygen it needs.

Symptoms may include heaviness, pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning in the chest or discomfort in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Flare-ups usually end after a few minutes with rest or medication such as nitroglycerin.

The symptoms described here may also be signs of a heart attack. So if you experience them for the first time, seek emergency help right away.

Take Control
Not only can you treat stable angina flare-ups, but you may also be able to help prevent them. Managing this condition may involve:

• Awareness. Try to predict when angina attacks are likely to occur and then take steps to try to avoid them. For example, if you notice that chest pain often develops when you walk up stairs, take short breaks as you climb.
• Lifestyle changes. Controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar and maintaining a healthy weight are essential. Doing this eases the strain on your heart.
• Medication. To help prevent chest pain, some people are advised to use a long-acting form of nitroglycerin every day.
• Cardiac rehab. Through supervised exercise, classes, and counseling, you can learn to protect and strengthen your heart.
• Surgery. If necessary, a procedure to improve blood flow to the heart may be an option.

Is It Angina or a Heart Attack?
If you have angina, it’s vital that you recognize the signs of a heart attack. Click here for more information.