The pain or discomfort occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle doesn't meet the heart's needs. As a result, the heart doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrients. The discomfort occurs most often during exercise or emotional stress. That's when the heart rate and blood pressure increase, and the heart muscle needs more oxygen. Anginal pain or discomfort is usually brief, lasting just a few minutes.
People describe it as a heaviness, tightness, oppressive pain, burning, pressure or squeezing.
Usually it's located behind the breastbone. Sometimes it spreads to the arms, neck or jaws. It may also cause a numbness in the shoulders, arms or wrists. Angina and Heart Attack Angina is different from a heart attack. With angina, the blood flow is reduced, especially when the heart must do more work.