Angina Pectoris: Classic Symptoms and Typical Presentation

Hallmark of Myocardial Ischemia

Angina pectoris is chest discomfort due to transient myocardial oxygen supply-demand mismatch.

Typical Features

• Quality: Pressure, squeezing, tightness, heaviness, burning.
• Location: Retrosternal; may radiate to left arm, neck, jaw, back, epigastrium.
• Trigger: Exertion, emotion, cold, heavy meal.
• Relief: Rest and/or sublingual nitroglycerin (within minutes).
• Duration: Typically 2–10 minutes.

Atypical Presentations

Women, elderly, diabetics may report dyspnea, fatigue, nausea, indigestion without classic pain.

Unstable Angina / MI

Pain at rest, new onset, increasing frequency/severity, or >20 min → acute coronary syndrome—emergency.