Coronary heart disease
If your coronary arteries become partially blocked, it can cause
chest pain (angina). If they become completely blocked, it can
cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Heart attacks can
cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and if not treated
straight away, can be fatal. If you think that you are having a
heart attack, you should dial 999 for immediate medical
assistance.
If you have coronary heart disease, you may experience heart
palpitations. Heart palpitations occur when your heart beats
irregularly, or harder than normal. It is important to realise that
heart palpitations are not necessarily linked to coronary heart
disease, and if you experience them, you should not worry unduly.
However, it is always best to have it checked out by your GP.
Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease.
The heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body, which can
cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly
difficult to breath. Heart failure can happen suddenly (acute heart
failure) or gradually, over a period of time (chronic heart
failure).
The symptoms of angina
Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease. It can be a mild,
uncomfortable feeling that is similar to indigestion. However, 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. The symptoms usually pass within about 10-15
minutes and can be relieved by resting, or using a nitrate tablet
or spray.
The symptoms of a heart attack
The discomfort or pain of a heart attack is similar to that of
angina, but it is often more severe. During a heart attack you may
also experience the following symptoms:
- sweating
- light-headedness
- nausea, and breathlessness.
The symptoms of a heart attack can be similar to indigestion.
For example, they may include a feeling of heaviness in your chest,
a stomach ache or heartburn. A heart attack can happen at any time,
including while you are resting. If the symptoms last longer than
15 minutes, it is probably a heart attack.
Unlike angina, the symptoms of a heart attack cannot be relieved
using a nitrate tablet or spray.
Additional information can be found on the
NHS UK website