Final answer:
Angina pectoris is marked by chest pain or pressure from inadequate oxygen to the heart muscle, with possible pain radiating to the upper body. Accompanying symptoms include shortness of breath and sweating, among others. Stable angina occurs with exertion, while unstable angina, which necessitates urgent care, can happen at rest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs and Symptoms of Angina Pectoris
Patients suffering from angina pectoris often experience chest pain or pressure due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, a condition known as ischemia. This pain may present as a sensation of pressure or tightness and can occur in the back, neck, shoulders, or jaw. Additional symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and even pain radiating down the left arm in male patients. While females may also experience angina, they often report different symptoms, which historically led to misdiagnosis. Other common clinical manifestations of angina or acute myocardial infarction (MI) include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), irregular heartbeat (palpitations), vomiting, anxiety, and in some cases, fainting (syncope). As some symptoms overlap with less serious conditions like indigestion, differential diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment.
Angina may be classified as either stable angina, which is typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest or medication, or unstable angina, which is more serious as it occurs at rest and can last longer, signaling a possible heart attack. Therefore, anyone experiencing symptoms of unstable angina requires immediate medical attention.