Angina (chest pain during exercise)

Chest pain that occurs during physical activity, often referred to as angina, can be a sign that your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood when it’s working harder. While angina may feel like pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest, it should never be ignored. At AssociatesMD, with locations in Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Weston, Margate, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the experienced healthcare professionals can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate care. Call the office or use the online scheduler to book an appointment today.

What is angina, and why does it occur during exercise?

Angina is discomfort or chest pain that occurs when your heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Physical activity often makes angina more noticeable because exercise causes your heart to work harder and require more oxygen. If the blood vessels supplying your heart can’t deliver enough blood to meet that increased demand, you may experience chest pain or pressure.

Angina isn’t a disease itself. Instead, it’s a symptom that may indicate an underlying heart condition, such as coronary artery disease. Identifying the cause of angina is important because it can signal an increased risk of more serious cardiovascular problems.

What does angina feel like, and when should you seek medical attention?

Angina may cause you to feel pressure, squeezing, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort in your chest. It can also cause pain that spreads to your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.

Common symptoms of angina include:

• Chest pressure or tightness during physical activity
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue with exertion
• Discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back

Symptoms may improve with rest. Contact AssociatesMD if you experience new chest pain, worsening symptoms, or discomfort while resting. However, you should seek emergency care immediately if you have severe chest pain that lasts several minutes or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or sweating.

What conditions can cause angina during physical activity?

While coronary artery disease is the most common cause of angina, several other cardiovascular conditions can also reduce blood flow to the heart or increase its workload, such as:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Coronary artery spasms
• Certain heart rhythm disorders

Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, which is an essential reason to get a proper medical evaluation.

How is angina diagnosed and treated?

To determine the cause of your symptoms, your provider reviews your medical history, discusses your symptoms, and performs a physical examination. Additional testing may include blood work, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an echocardiogram, a stress test, or imaging studies that assess blood flow to your heart.

Treatment may include lifestyle modifications, medications to improve blood flow and reduce strain on your heart, or procedures to restore circulation when necessary.

If you experience chest pain during exercise or other activities, schedule an appointment at AssociatesMD by phone or online today.