Angina, or to give it its full medical name, angina pectoris, means pain or tightness in the chest that is caused by the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen to pump blood around the body.

In these pages we look at why angina matters, and the different types, causes, risk factors, common symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Did you know? Angina is not a heart attack Not all chest pain is angina Angina affects more men than women Angina typically affects older people Angina can be treated

Why does angina matter?

Angina pectoris may be a sign of underlying heart disease. Indeed, people with angina pectoris could be at greater risk of having a heart attack and have a shorter life expectancy than people who do not experience angina.

Angina is often triggered by physical exercise; even simple daily activities like walking or climbing the stairs can become a problem. Over time, angina tends to become more frequent and the symptoms more severe. Angina, therefore, affects people’s quality of life as well as being a signal of a more serious heart problem.