During an angina attack, where can pain radiate?

During an angina attack, where can pain radiate?

• A. Chest pain at the chest only
• B. Chest pain radiating to neck, shoulder, left arm, and mandible
• C. Pain in arms only
• D. Pain in legs

Answer: (B)

Angina occurs when the heart muscle gets temporarily starved of oxygen, and the resulting chest discomfort often travels along nerves to other areas. The most characteristic pattern is chest pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, shoulder, and especially the left arm. This combination—pain starting in the chest and spreading to the neck, shoulder, left arm, and mandible—fits the classic cardiac ischemia presentation and helps distinguish it from non-cardiac chest pain. Pain limited strictly to the chest or confined to the arms, or located in the legs, does not align with the usual radiation pattern seen with angina.

Angina occurs when the heart muscle gets temporarily starved of oxygen, and the resulting chest discomfort often travels along nerves to other areas. The most characteristic pattern is chest pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, shoulder, and especially the left arm. This combination—pain starting in the chest and spreading to the neck, shoulder, left arm, and mandible—fits the classic cardiac ischemia presentation and helps distinguish it from non-cardiac chest pain. Pain limited strictly to the chest or confined to the arms, or located in the legs, does not align with the usual radiation pattern seen with angina.