Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Attack)

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Symptoms

Angina

Chest pain may mean that the heart muscle is not getting enough blood and oxygen. When chest pain happens because of low blood flow to the heart muscle, it is called angina.

Angina may feel like squeezing, pressure, fullness, or burning in the chest.

Not all chest pain is angina. However, if you have chest pain, see your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

  • Angina can occur in the chest, upper abdomen, jaw, throat, back, shoulders, or inner arm.
  • The pain can range from mild to severe, depending on how blocked the coronary arteries are.
  • The pain often occurs during physical activity and may be strong enough to make a person stop what they are doing.
  • Some people, especially women, may not have chest pain during a heart attack. Instead, they may have other symptoms or no symptoms at all (this is called a silent heart attack).

Severe chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. This requires emergency medical care. 
Call 911 right away, even if you are not sure. The faster a heart attack is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

For older adults, any sudden or unusual symptom should be evaluated immediately by a healthcare provider.

Other Signs and Symptoms

A common symptom of coronary artery disease is unusual shortness of breath. Shortness of breath without chest pain may be the only sign of heart disease. See a healthcare professional right away if you have trouble breathing.

Coronary artery disease in older adults can cause the following symptoms:

  • Extreme tiredness during physical activity
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Nausea, vomiting, or heartburn
  • A fast heartbeat (palpitations)
  • An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • Sweating
  • Restlessness
  • Changes in thinking, such as confusion, anxiety, dizziness, or feeling lightheaded
  • Pain in the jaw or left arm

In older adults, shortness of breath or unusual tiredness during physical activity should be checked by a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: August 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers 

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