angina It is a type of heart disease that affects about 10 million Americans each year, and it most commonly occurs in older adults. It is a symptom of and a precursor to coronary artery disease (CAD) Heart attack, Chest pain The disease known as angina is the result of reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Angina is a warning sign that the heart is not getting enough oxygenated blood, which can precede a heart attack, even though it is not a disease in itself.

Recently, Dr Alok Chopra, Co-Founder, Cardiology, Functional Medicine and Disease Reverse, Aashlok Hospital, explained on Instagram what angina feels like. He explained in the reel, “Angina is usually experienced as a crushing sensation in the lower middle part of the chest, even though the heart is on the left side. It feels like pressure on the lower middle part of your solar plexus. This pain usually occurs during physical exertion and subsides after 10-15 minutes of rest, which is a major indicator of angina.”

He further added, “The discomfort may not always be limited to the chest. The same pain can also manifest as a feeling of choking in the throat and uncomfortable pressure in the jaw, as if someone is holding it from both sides. Additionally, the pain can spread to both arms.”

To know more about angina, we got in touch with Dr Bimal Chhajed, senior cardiologist, former AIIMS consultant and director of SAAOL Heart Centre, New Delhi. Dr Bimal Chhajed explains that angina can increase the risk of a heart attack as it is a sign that the heart is not getting enough oxygenated blood. In particular, unstable angina is a dangerous condition that can signal a heart attack. “However, angina does not always lead to a heart attack. Heart attacks can be prevented by identifying the symptoms of angina and improving general heart health. Angina is a serious sign of untreated cardiac problems that should not be ignored,” he said.

Dr Chhajer explains that certain lifestyle changes are important such as a healthy diet, exercise and maintaining ideal weight. “People should reduce sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat in their diet to control angina. In addition, regular physical activity can improve heart health, but this should be done under the supervision of a doctor. Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the workload on the heart.”

It is important to quit smoking as it can worsen angina and increase the risk of a heart attack.

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