angina with rapid heart beat

Last week I was diagnosed with angina

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear  Laura,

Here is some general information concerning angina.  Angina is due to a lack of blood flow (ischemia) to the heart muscle.  It is typically pressure like and in the center of the chest.  It may radiate to the left arm or jaw.  It is often accompanied by shortness of breath and a cold sweat (diaphoresis).  It is often precipitated by exertion or cold but may occur at rest. It may last for as short as 10 to 15 minutes or longer than several hours.  Pain that lasts only a few seconds is almost never angina.  

Risk factors for developing angina are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor fitness level, age greater than 45 for males and greater than 55 for females and a family history of heart disease in male relatives younger than 55 or female relatives younger than 65.

The work-up for chest pain usually includes an ECG, chest X-ray, blood tests and often times a stress test or echocardiogram.  The definitive test for blockages is a heart catheterization.  

Other potential causes of chest pain are musculoskeletal, pericarditis, pulmonary problems, gastrointestinal problems and anxiety.  The best course of action is to have all chest pain evaluated by a physician.  Pain that lasts only a few seconds can be evaluated as an outpatient.  Pain lasting for more than 20 minutes should be evaluated in an emergency department.