Final answer:
A person with chest pain or discomfort that feels like pressure may be experiencing angina, a symptom of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. These symptoms can be similar to those of a heart attack, where blood flow is blocked to a part of the heart causing chest pain and other severe symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person with chest pains or discomfort, described as feeling like the chest is being pressed or squeezed, could indicate a condition when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. The pain is referred to as angina, and it may also be accompanied by symptoms such as burning sensations in the chest, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach, and back. These symptoms can be akin to those experienced during a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), where blood flow to a part of the heart is stopped, leading to damage to the heart muscle. However, it is crucial to distinguish between angina and a heart attack, as the latter involves more severe and lasting symptoms, often including sudden severe chest pain (angina pectoris), difficulty breathing, nausea, and sweating. Treatment goals for angina include symptomatic relief and slowing the progression of underlying atherosclerosis.