The pain felt from a heart attack lasts considerably longer than that felt with angina. The pain associated with angina usually lasts only a few minutes and subsides after a short rest. Resting will not alleviate the pain from a heart attack, which usually lasts for more than thirty minutes and up to several hours. When the pain lasts this long the individual is at considerably more risk of suffering heart muscle damage. Episodes of angina occur when the heart's need for oxygen increases beyond the oxygen available from the blood nourishing the heart.
Physical exertion is the most common trigger for angina.
However, during physical activity or stress, the heart rate may increase to over 200 beats per minute. Blood pressure also increases, creating more work for the heart. In doing more work the heart requires more blood. A partially blocked artery will not allow the extra blood flow needed by the heart in this situation. Angina quickly subsides after the precipitating activity is stopped.