Angina is the heart’s way of saying that it is not getting enough oxygen that means “A choking sensation of the chest”. Usually, angina is a constricting pain that starts in the center of the chest, deep behind the breastbone, and may radiate to other parts of the body. Patients have said it feels like “An elephant sitting on my chest.” Angina Pectoris (“Angina”) is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough blood. It is a common symptom of coronary heart disease, which occurs when vessels that carry blood to the heart become narrowed and blocked.

Causes & Symptoms of Angina Pain
If you have stable angina, you should be able to predict what sort of activity will bring on an attack. Another type, unstable angina, is a more acute condition; it occurs unpredictably, even during rest, and should be interpreted as a warning sign of more serious heart trouble, such as an impending heart attack. A rare type called variant angina, which involves coronary artery spasms, often occurs at rest and may occur at regular times of the day.

Causes of Angina Pain

• Overload on the heart and therefore needs more oxygen than usual.
• Reduced blood supply to the heart by the coronary arteries.
• Blockage of the coronary arteries.
• Other triggers can be emotional stress, extreme cold or heat, heavy meals, alcohol, and cigarette smoking.

Symptoms of Angina Pain

• Pain that is crushing, constricting, strangling, suffocating, sharp or burning,
• It is normally felt in the chest but may also occur in peripheral areas such as the jaw, shoulder, or arm.
• Location and specific sensations vary from person to person.
• Pain that occurs with exertion and recedes with rest.