Living with Angina Angina is a symptom of Coronary Artery
Disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. Angina
happens when the plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This
build up of plaque is called atherosclerosis. As the plaque
builds up, the coronary arteries become narrower and stiff.
Blood flow to the heart is then reduced. This decreases the
oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Angina is chest pain or
discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get
enough blood to it. It may feel like pressure or a squeezing
pain in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders,
arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can even feel like indigestion.
There are three types of Angina and it is important to know the
differences among the different types. Stable angina is the most
common and it happens when the heart is working harder than
usual. With stable angina, a regular pattern will occur. After a
short time, you will recognize the pattern, predicting when an
episode will occur. The pain will disapp