Health condition
Angina
Angina is chest tightness or heaviness caused by narrowed coronary arteries limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. It is common, treatable and an important warning sign.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Typical symptoms: central chest tightness or heaviness on exertion, sometimes spreading to the arm, neck or jaw, relieved by rest or GTN spray
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Call 999 if angina occurs at rest, lasts more than 15 minutes, or does not respond to GTN - this may be a heart attack
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Specialist: a consultant cardiologist usually leads assessment and treatment
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Treatment combines symptom relief (GTN, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers) with protective medication (statins, aspirin) and revascularisation for selected patients
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Stable angina follows a predictable pattern: a certain amount of effort brings on the tightness, and rest relieves it within minutes. It is caused by atherosclerotic narrowing of the coronary arteries, and while the symptom itself is manageable, its real significance is as a marker of coronary disease that needs long-term risk management.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Diagnosis in the UK is usually confirmed with CT coronary angiography. Treatment starts with anti-anginal medication and aggressive risk-factor control - statins, blood pressure treatment and smoking cessation - with angioplasty and stenting or bypass surgery for those whose symptoms persist or whose anatomy is high-risk. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant cardiologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Angina.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is angina?
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood, usually due to narrowed coronary arteries, typically triggered by exertion or stress and relieved by rest.
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What causes angina?
It is most commonly caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries due to fatty plaque build-up (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, particularly during increased demand like exercise.
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What are the symptoms of angina?
Symptoms include chest tightness, pressure, or pain, sometimes spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, typically triggered by exertion, cold weather, or emotional stress, and easing with rest.
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Is angina dangerous?
Stable angina itself is a warning sign of underlying coronary artery disease rather than an immediate emergency, but it increases the risk of a heart attack, and any change in pattern needs prompt assessment.
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Can angina be treated?
Yes, angina can be effectively managed with medications, lifestyle changes, and, when needed, procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
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How is angina treated?
Treatment includes medications to reduce heart workload and improve blood flow, risk factor management (cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking cessation), and procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery for more significant blockages.
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How long does an angina episode typically last?
A typical stable angina episode lasts a few minutes and eases with rest or medication such as a GTN spray; pain lasting longer or not relieved by rest needs urgent assessment for a possible heart attack.
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Stable angina vs unstable angina — what's the difference?
Stable angina occurs predictably with exertion and eases with rest, while unstable angina occurs unpredictably, at rest, or with increasing frequency and severity, representing a more urgent situation that needs immediate medical assessment as it can signal an impending heart attack.
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When does angina become a medical emergency?
Angina becomes an emergency if pain is severe, occurs at rest, lasts longer than usual, or isn't relieved by your usual medication, as this can indicate an evolving heart attack requiring immediate care.
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When should I see a doctor about angina, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
Seek emergency care for new, worsening, or unrelieved chest pain. For known stable angina needing routine review, NHS cardiology referral can take several weeks, while private cardiology assessment is often available within about two weeks.