Stable angina is pain, pressure, or a sense of heaviness in the chest beneath the breastbone. It is brought on by physical exertion and is relieved by rest. The discomfort or pain may also be felt in the left arm or shoulder, the neck, or the lower jaw. These are all areas of the body supplied by the same nerve that goes to the heart.

What is going on in the body?

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which fatty deposits, also called plaque, form inside blood vessel walls. Atherosclerosis that involves the arteries supplying the heart is known as coronary artery disease. Plaque can block the flow of blood through the arteries. The tissues that normally receive blood from these arteries then begin to suffer damage from a lack of oxygen. When the heart does not have enough oxygen, it responds by causing the pain or discomfort known as angina.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Factors that increase the risk of stable angina include: