What type of pain radiates from the center of the chest and may indicate coronary artery disease?

Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. It is often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest and can radiate to the shoulders, neck, arms, back, teeth, or jaw. This pain is typically triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress and usually subsides with rest or medication. In the context of coronary artery disease, angina serves as a warning sign that the heart is not receiving adequate blood flow, thereby indicating a potential risk for heart-related events.

Muscle pain, referred pain, and pinched nerve pain are other types of pain that can have different underlying causes. Muscle pain is generally localized and associated with strain or injury, rather than a central issue like coronary artery disease. Referred pain occurs when pain is perceived in an area of the body other than its actual source, which may complicate the diagnosis but does not define angina itself. Pinched nerve pain tends to be characterized by radiating sensations like tingling or numbness rather than the squeezing or pressure associated with angina. Understanding these distinctions is key to recognizing the significance of chest pain symptoms in the context of cardiac health.