Tightness In Chest, Heaviness In Left Arm. Angina?

Hi, Thank for your query, Lynda. Persistent chest tightness over the year actually doesn t suggest Angina. Angina typically occur during exertion like exercise, after a heavy meal or in the cold weather, mental stress etc and usually last for few minutes not hours. Rest often relieve Angina. Sometimes, it becomes very difficult to differentiate the angina from other causes of chest discomfort like respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, psychogenic etc. Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) which is so common often mimic Angina even in radiation to left arm. Old age, Obesity, Smoking history, Hypertension, Sedentary lifestyle are usually associated with Angina. Diabetic old women often don t experience Angina as the nerve that convey pain get destroyed even they have heart attack. ECG and Echocardiograph are often normal in angina if done in symptom free period. However, don t be tensed as anxiety can cause such pain. Be happy. Do regular exercise. Eat healthy. Quit smoking and Lose weight if appropriate...that s all. Hope, this helps.