2. Breathlessness and panic
The second most common complaint of anginal patients is breathlessness, but it occurs in most diseases that affect the chest. In case of angina, it is due to the dysfunction of the heart’s pumping mechanism due to the deprivation of oxygen in the cardiac muscle. It tends to be exertional, and the triggering effort needed to start this type of pain gradually decreases. Patients suffering from anginal pain also tend to panic and have a feeling of impending doom. This is also associated with dyspnea (breathlessness) and tachypnea (rapid breathing). It is mostly psychological rather than an actual breathing problem and is relieved when the anginal attack is abated.
