Overview
What cardiac chest pain feels like
Angina is usually a tightness, pressure or heaviness across the chest, brought on by exertion or stress and eased by rest. It may spread to the arm, neck or jaw, and is often accompanied by breathlessness.
Emergency
Pain that comes on at rest, lasts more than a few minutes or is accompanied by sweating, nausea or collapse may be a heart attack — call 999.
How we investigate
A clear path to an answer
Consultation & ECG
Your story first — the pattern of the pain tells us more than its severity.
Echo or stress test
To assess the heart’s structure and how it copes with exertion.
Cardiac CT
Calcium score and CT angiography to see the arteries non-invasively.
Angiogram if needed
A diagnostic angiogram, with treatment in the same session where appropriate.
Treatment
Your options
Medication
Anti-anginal and preventive therapy.
Risk reduction
Cholesterol, blood pressure and lifestyle plan.
Angioplasty & stenting
For significant narrowings.
Bypass surgery
Discussed for multi-vessel disease.
