goodtoknow says: Angina happens when there's a problem with one of the arteries leading to the heart. Your heart 'complains' and this causes angina pain. But having angina doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have a heart attack. Angina usually causes pain across the front of your chest, often when you're exerting yourself. Attacks usually last for up to ten minutes, longer than this and you should call a doctor. Medication and lifestyle changes, such as giving up smoking and losing weight, can alleviate the symptoms of angina and prevent the condition from getting any worse.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of angina from patient.co.uk, read on.

Angina is caused by narrowing of the coronary (heart) arteries. Usual treatment includes a statin drug to lower your cholesterol level, low-dose aspirin to help prevent a heart attack, and a beta-blocker drug to help protect the heart. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drug may be advised in some cases. Beta-blockers and other drugs are also commonly prescribed to ease and prevent angina pains. In some cases, angioplasty or surgery are options to widen, or to bypass, narrowed arteries.

What is angina?

Angina is a pain that comes from the heart. It is common in people over the age of 50. Sometimes it occurs in younger people. It is more common in men than women. This leaflet is about the common type of angina which is caused by narrowing in the coronary arteries of the heart. (Angina is sometimes caused by uncommon disorders of the heart valves or heart muscle.)

• Next: Understanding the arteries of the heart and causes of angina

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