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Angina v. Myocardial Infarction(MI)

Paddy Kalish OD Blog Angina v. Myocardial Infarction(MI)

Angina is chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, usually temporary and often triggered by exertion or stress; myocardial infarction (MI) is a heart attack where blocked blood flow causes heart muscle injury or death and is a medical emergency.

Main differences

Feature Angina Myocardial infarction
What it is Symptom of reduced heart blood flow  Death or injury of heart muscle from lack of blood flow 
Duration Usually brief, often minutes  Usually more prolonged, often >20 minutes 
Trigger Commonly exertion or stress  Can occur at rest or with minimal activity 
Relief Often improves with rest or nitroglycerin  Typically does not fully improve with rest or nitroglycerin 
Heart damage No permanent damage in stable angina  Permanent damage can occur 

Typical symptoms

Both can cause chest pressure, squeezing, or pain that may spread to the arm, jaw, neck, or back. MI is more likely to come with sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or a feeling of severe unwellness.

Practical way to think about it

Angina is often a warning sign that the heart is not getting enough oxygen under stress, while MI means the blood supply has been blocked long enough to damage heart tissue. In real life, new, worsening, or persistent chest pain should be treated as possible MI until proven otherwise.

Author
Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch Author and Blogger

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