What Does Unstable Angina Feel Like?

What Are the Symptoms of Unstable Angina? Symptoms include mild or severe discomfort or pain in the chest, felt as tightness, dull ache, or heaviness that may spread down the arms (especially left arm) or to the neck, shoulder, or jaw; shortness of breath; nausea; sweating; or weakness.

How do you know if you have unstable angina?

Unstable angina is chest pain that is sudden and often gets worse over a short period of time. You may be developing unstable angina if the chest pain: Starts to feel different, is more severe, comes more often, or occurs with less activity or while you are at rest. Lasts longer than 15 to 20 minutes.

How long does unstable angina usually last?

Unstable angina may not respond to rest or nitroglycerin. It needs urgent attention. Usually lasts 5 minutes; rarely more than 15 minutes. Triggered by physical activity, emotional stress, heavy meals, extreme cold or hot weather.