Angina Pectoris: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Angina Pectoris?
A cardiologist (a heart doctor) diagnoses and treats angina pectoris. Your primary care doctor can check risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is angina pectoris?
Angina pectoris is a feeling of pain or tightness, usually in your chest. It happens when the heart does not get enough blood. Chest pain that occurs behind the breastbone is the most common symptom. Attacks are often brought on by exercise, stress, emotion, or cold temperatures. They usually last less than 10 minutes and should stop after resting for a few minutes or taking angina medicine. Having angina means you are at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. With treatment, symptoms should improve over time.
Symptoms
The pain of stable angina most often begins slowly and gets worse over the next few minutes before going away when the activity stops. Typically, the chest pain feels like tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or a crushing feeling. It may spread to your arm (most often the left), back, jaw, neck, or shoulder. The pain may also make you feel sick, breathless, dizzy, or sweaty. Doctors may call one of these episodes an angina attack.
Causes and who gets it
Angina happens when the heart does not get enough blood. This is usually due to coronary heart disease, where the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits. Less often, the blood vessels in the heart tighten when they should not. This is called vasospastic or microvascular angina.
You are more likely to get angina if you are a man aged 45 or over or a woman aged 55 or over, if you smoke, or if you are living with obesity or overweight. High blood pressure and high cholesterol raise the risk. So do a past heart problem, close relatives with heart problems, and conditions such as diabetes.
How doctors diagnose it
If a doctor thinks you may have angina, you will be referred to a heart specialist (cardiologist). Tests may include blood tests, an ECG (electrocardiogram) to check the electrical activity of your heart, and scans such as an angiogram (pictures of the blood vessels), an MRI scan, or a CT scan. A stress test checks how the heart responds when it works hard.
Treatment
If you have angina pectoris, your doctor may give you medicine for three jobs. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) treats an attack when it happens. Beta blockers lower your chances of having an attack. Low-dose aspirin and statins reduce your risk of a stroke or heart attack. Sometimes a doctor recommends surgery to increase blood flow to the heart, such as coronary angioplasty or a coronary artery bypass.
Lifestyle changes help too. Try to quit smoking, keep to a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and stay as active as your symptoms allow. Always have your angina medicine with you, and use it as your doctor told you.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you think you may have angina. Call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away if you have chest pain that does not stop after resting for a few minutes or after taking your angina medicine. Call 911, too, if you have new chest pain or pressure and do not know the cause. Call 911 if your angina is getting worse, happens more often, lasts longer, or happens when you are resting. Also call 911 if the pain comes back after your medicine helped at first, comes on suddenly and does not go away, or spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, stomach, or back. Chest pain with sweating, sickness, light-headedness, or shortness of breath can mean a heart attack. You need immediate treatment in a hospital. Call 911 right away if you faint.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. That doctor can review your medicines, track blood pressure and cholesterol, and help you plan a safe activity level. Regular visits also keep long-term risk factors under control.
Common questions
How long does an angina attack last?
Angina attacks usually last less than 10 minutes. They should stop after resting for a few minutes or taking your angina medicine. Pain that continues after your medicine needs urgent care.
What triggers angina pectoris?
Attacks are often brought on by exercise, stress, emotion, or cold temperatures. Large meals can trigger them too. Sometimes there is no obvious trigger.
Can I exercise with angina pectoris?
Usually, yes. If your symptoms are well controlled, angina will not usually have a big impact on your life. You will usually be able to continue with most things, including exercise. Talk with your doctor before you start a new activity.
Is angina pectoris the same as a heart attack?
No. Angina happens when the heart does not get enough blood, and the pain usually eases with rest or medicine. But having angina means you are at higher risk of a heart attack. Chest pain that does not go away can be a heart attack, so call 911 right away.
Sources
- NHS - Angina
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Stable angina
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Angina
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
