Angina & Heart Attacks

Angina is chest pain that comes and goes. It happens when some part of your heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. Angina can be a warning sign of disease in the arteries of the heart. This happens when arteries that carry blood to your heart become narrowed and blocked because of thickening or hardening of the arteries or a blood clot. 

If you have been told by your health care provider that you have angina, seek medical help if your symptoms happen more often, last longer or do not go away with rest or prescribed medication.

A heart attack is when one or more of the heart blood vessels (arteries) are narrowed or blocked and the blood flow to the heart slows or stops. When the heart does not get enough blood, the heart muscle can be injured or damaged if not treated. You may experience any or all of the following symptoms: chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness), sweating, upper body discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back discomfort, light-headedness, nausea or shortness of breath. 

Call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any of the signs of a heart attack.

Heart Attack Patient Information

Living Well with Heart Disease - Heart and Stroke Foundation

There are many tests that may be used to help diagnose and monitor angina and heart attacks. What tests you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common tests that you may have are listed below.

• Cardiac Angiogram (Heart Catheterization)
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Cardiac Stress Test

There are many treatments and procedures that may be used to treat and manage heart conditions. What treatments or procedures you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common tests and procedures that you may have are listed below.

• Heart Disease Medications
• Cardiac Angioplasty
• Heart Surgery

There are many clinics that you might go to for assessment and monitoring of heart conditions. Discussion with your health care provider will help determine which clinics you may need based on your specific health condition.

• Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Heart and Stroke Foundation: Recovery and Support
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Resources
• Cardiac Rehabilitation program locations
• Canada's Food Guide
• Heart Health Eating
• Dietary Fats and Your Health
• Quit Now
• Heart and Stroke: Take Control
• Hypertension Canada: Hypertension & You