How do I differentiate between angina pain and heart attack?

Medically Reviewed by Checkmark Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Sravanthi Sunkaraneni
What is the difference between angina and heart attack?
Angina is chest pain that occurs in response to a decreased oxygen supply to the heart. When the reduced oxygen lasts long enough for the heart cells to be damaged and die, it is called a heart attack. An individual cannot differentiate between pain due to angina and a heart attack and should treat chest pain as an emergency.

Angina is a symptom, whereas a heart attack is a health condition. Angina is pain experienced by people when there is a decrease in oxygen supply to the heart. A heart attack is the consequent damage to the heart. Decreased oxygen supply occurs due to blocked flow of blood to the heart, which further causes the damage. With no blood, tissues lose oxygen and are unable to function normally. This condition induces angina pain. The more time that passes with no oxygen to the tissues, the greater the damage that occurs to the heart muscle resulting in a heart attack.

An angina attack comes with a set of symptoms very similar to a heart attack. It is not always easy for a person to differentiate between the two. If you experience any pain around your heart, consult your doctor immediately. Do not try to differentiate between angina and heart attack or self-diagnose your condition. This may cause loss of crucial treatment time and endanger your life.

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Disclaimer
Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can further read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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