Angina Chest Pain

Sometimes mistakenly spelled "agina" 
 

Are "Angina" and "Chest Pain" the Same Thing? 

Angina, which is sometimes mistakenly spelled "agina," is the medical term that refers to specific types of sharp chest pain. It’s not an actual disease but instead it’s a symptom caused by some type of disease that’s affecting the heart.

The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, which is caused by plaque building up on the inner walls of the arteries.

Angina Symptoms

The most common and certainly the most definitive symptom of angina is pain in the chest. But angina pain is not necessarily limited to their chest. It may also be felt in the arms, neck, shoulder, back and jaw. 

Angina pain can be similar to that felt by someone who has bad indigestion. It may also feel like a heavy weight pressing down on the chest making it difficult to breath. However, it’s important to realize that not all chest pain is related to a heart problem.

Strains and severe indigestion and heartburn can also cause chest pain along with pulmonary embolism, pleurisy, swallowing disorders and costochondritis. Anxiety and panic attacks can also mimic the exact same pain caused by coronary artery disease.
 

Angina Treatment

Some of the medications given for angina are listed below:

• Aspirin
• Nitroglycerin
• Beta Blockers
• Thrombolytics
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Ranolazine
• Angiotensin

If the angina or chest pain is caused by a heart condition, then your health care physician will determine which treatment would be the best based on your individual condition. It’s suggested that you go to the hospital if you think the angina that you’re having is caused by some form of heart condition. If this is the case, your physician will most likely begin one of the following treatments.

• Coronary Bypass Surgery
• Angioplasty
• Stenting

You may also be given medications that will help thin your blood to make it easier for the heart to pump it through the bloodstream. Don’t delay going to the hospital if you’re having severe chest pain. If the chest pain turns out not to be caused by anything related to your heart, then they can at least ease your mind and make you feel better. They can also give you advice on what actions should be taken based on the test they run.