Diagnosing Angina in Northern California

Angina, or ischemic chest pain, is caused when there’s not enough blood flowing to your heart. This is often the result of heart disease and can signal an increased risk of heart attack. Angina can feel like heartburn.

If you or a loved one suspect symptoms of angina in Northern California, Find a Doctor online at one of these convenient locations for personal care with humankindness:

 

Angina Symptoms

Symptoms of angina center around pain or pressure in your chest. It may also feel like your chest is full or being squeezed. This feeling can spread to your jaw, neck, and shoulders. Stable angina occurs during or after you’ve had physical activity or similar stress on your body. If you have chest pain while resting, you may have unstable angina. 

You should get emergency care and call 911 if you have unstable angina or chest pain with any of these symptoms:

If you or a loved one has these symptoms, it could signal a heart attack. Immediate medical attention can prevent or minimize long-term damage and even save a life.

 

Angina Causes

The main cause of angina is coronary artery disease (CAD). In this type of heart disease, fatty deposits (plaque) build up on the walls of the arteries, narrowing them and causing problems with blood flow to the heart. Left untreated, CAD can strain the heart muscles and increase the risk of heart failure and heart attack. 

Angina Treatment at Dignity Health North State

The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent serious complications.

After talking with you, your doctor may perform certain tests to evaluate your symptoms, including:

  • Blood test
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Stress test
  • Chest X-ray or CT scan
  • Coronary angiography

Your doctor will explain how each test works and what to expect. If your test results indicate angina, your doctor will likely treat the underlying condition with:

  • Lifestyle changes — in many cases, simply modifying your lifestyle — not smoking, exercising, and changing your diet — can help
  • Medication — this can help lower your blood pressure, widen your blood vessels, and prevent blood clots
  • Coronary angioplasty — a procedure to open narrowed or blocked arteries
  • Heart bypass surgery — your surgeon reroutes blood flow around a blocked artery

Speak with a Dignity Health North State doctor to learn more about your treatment options for angina, as well as other cardiovascular conditions.

Heart doctors at Dignity Health North State offer compassionate care to diagnose angina in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.