What Is Angina?

Angina is usually a symptom of coronary heart disease. Angina occurs because the heart is not getting enough oxygen from the blood. Angina symptoms include chest pain or tightness. There may also be pain in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back.

Lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and changing diet may help to prevent angina. Medications may also be used. Common drug classes used to treat angina are beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anticoagulants, nitrates, antiplatelet drugs, calcium channel blocker / statin combinations, and anti-anginals.