Often confused for one another, heart attacks and angina can produce similar symptoms. That said, while heart attacks pose an immediate threat to life, anginas are usually warnings that a heart attack may be on the not-so-distant horizon. If you experience chest pain or other troubling sensations, learn how to differentiate common symptoms of angina from a full-fledged heart attack.
What Is Angina?
A symptom of heart disease, angina occurs when advancing cardiovascular blockage causes poor oxygen flow to the heart. This typically results in chest or jaw pain, which can mimic an actual heart attack. Over time, heart tissue may begin to die due to inadequate oxygen supply. When this happens, a heart attack may take place.
Recognizing the Differences
While angina symptoms can mimic those of an actual heart attack, there are often subtle variances. A side-by-side comparison highlights the most common differences:
Typical Heart Attack Symptoms
- Pressure, pain or squeezing in the chest, particularly in the left side
- Pain or pressure in the stomach, back, jawline, neck or either arm
- Sudden sweating or clammy skin
- Lightheadedness or shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
Typical Angina Symptoms
- Chest pain limited to physical activity when the heart is forced to work harder
- Chest pain that lasts only five minutes or less
- Discomfort similar to severe indigestion
- Pain spreading from chest to back, arms or upper body
- Relief after resting or after taking heart medicines such as nitroglycerin
Things to Consider
While most common, the above symptoms are not the only ways heart attacks and angina can manifest. Women in particular tend to experience uncommon and confusing symptoms during an event, because they frequently develop heart disease within the very small arteries that branch out from the coronary arteries. Some of these symptoms can include shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and back or jaw pain.
When to See a Doctor
Any time you experience symptoms of angina or heart attack, you should seek emergency care. Even if your symptoms are owed to minor angina, there’s no way to know for sure that a serious cardiac event is not minutes away. If you do have angina, a healthcare professional can help design a treatment plan to manage your risk and improve your overall health.
