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Angina is a term used for a number of symptoms caused by compromised coronary blood flow.





Knowing your risk is the first step to effective prevention.





Knowing the symptoms of heart attack can save your life.

Listen to your heart – know your risk before the warning signs appear

Coronary heart disease starts long before symptoms appear

Coronary heart disease is a progressive disease that begins early in life, but typically progresses very slowly and often without symptoms until middle age or later. Unless a person is tested for coronary heart disease, the first symptoms can be an episode of angina or even a heart attack. Coronary heart disease is the main cause of death in developed countries. It is estimated that over one million Americans will have a heart attack each year as a result of coronary heart disease.

Preventing a heart attack starts with assessing your risk

Assessing your risk factors for coronary heart disease and heart attack is the first step to effective prevention. Knowing your genetic risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack means knowing more about your overall risk. The deCODEme Complete Scan and the deCODEme Cardio Scan can calculate your genetic risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.

Your lifestyle is your best defense against heart attack

By making some simple but effective lifestyle changes, you can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and of having a heart attack. If you already have heart disease, you can take important steps to reduce your risk of developing further heart-related problems. Realizing your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack can empower your preventive efforts. Knowing the symptoms of coronary heart disease and heart attack can save your life.

Angina is often the first symptom of coronary heart disease

If your coronary arteries become partially blocked, the compromised blood flow to the heart muscle can cause angina. If they become completely blocked, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs. Angina is a term used for a number of symptoms caused by compromised coronary blood flow.

Not all heart attacks are preceded by chest pain

Most people experience angina as chest pain, and chest pain should always be considered a warning sign as it commonly precedes heart attacks. Some heart attacks however occur without chest pain, especially in the elderly and those with diabetes. These are referred to as ‘silent’ heart attacks.

Angina comes in many forms

Although angina, in the form of chest pain, is the most common symptom of a heart attack, some people experience angina differently. Angina can also be a mild, uncomfortable feeling that is similar to indigestion. A severe angina attack can cause a feeling of heaviness or tightness, usually in the centre of the chest, which may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Angina is often triggered by physical activity or emotionally stressful situations.

Symptoms of heart attack in women can be different than in men

Symptoms of heart attack in women are often different than in men. Although women also experience chest pain, they are somewhat more likely than men to have some of the other common symptoms of angina, particularly shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

This content was last reviewed on February 22, 2011.

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