Angina is often described as chest pain, but this can be misleading. Angina is not always painful, and it isn’t always felt in the chest. Angina might feel like:

• Discomfort, an aching, sharp, dull, or burning sensation, tightness or squeezing, or pressure that comes and goes. You may feel it in your chest, back, belly (abdomen), arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw.

• Tiredness (fatigue) that gets worse or feeling more tired than usual for no clear reason

• Shortness of breath while doing something that used to be easy

• Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, rapid heart rate, or sweating

Call 911 right away if any of your symptoms:

• Lasts for more than a few minutes
• Goes away and comes back
• Happens at rest and doesn't go away after taking nitroglycerin as prescribed by your healthcare provider
• Continues to get worse

You could be having a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction). Don't drive to the hospital yourself or have someone else drive you. .

• Angina usually happens during activity. It can also occur when you’re upset or after a large meal. Sometimes angina can happen when the weather is too hot or too cold. All of these things can put more stress on your body and your heart.

• You may have unstable angina if angina starts occurring more often, lasts longer, happens even when you are resting, sleeping or doing little physical activity, or causes more discomfort. It’s a sign that your heart problem may be getting worse. You need to call your healthcare provider right away.