Chest Tightness in Women: When Is It Angina?
- Dr Chan Po Fun
- Jan 22
- 6 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
By Dr Chan Po Fun
Consultant Cardiologist | Women’s Heart Health & Preventive Cardiology
Chest tightness can be frightening.
For many women, it starts as a pressure, heaviness, or uncomfortable squeezing sensation in the chest, not sharp pain, but something that doesn’t feel right.
Some women are told by their family doctor that it may be angina. Others stumble upon this page after Googling their symptoms. Many are looking for a second opinion, clarity, or reassurance.
If this sounds like you, this page is for you. If your chest tightness is ongoing or recurring, it’s important not to delay getting clarity.
“I was told it might be angina… but I’m not sure”
In clinic, many women tell me:
“My GP said it could be angina.”
“My ECG was normal, but I still feel chest tightness.”
“I don’t know if this is serious enough to see a cardiologist.”
“I’m scared to ignore it, but also scared to overreact.”
These concerns are very common, and very reasonable.
Chest tightness in women does not always behave like textbook angina, and that is why it often causes confusion and anxiety.
What does chest tightness feel like in women?
Women often describe chest tightness differently from men.
It may feel like:
pressure, heaviness, or constriction in the chest
discomfort rather than sharp pain
tightness that comes and goes
symptoms triggered by stress, exertion, or emotional strain
chest discomfort accompanied by breathlessness or fatigue
Because these symptoms can be subtle or intermittent, they are sometimes dismissed, or left unexplained.
When is chest tightness angina?
Angina refers to chest discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
In women, angina can occur even when:
coronary arteries do not appear severely blocked
symptoms are atypical
initial tests are normal
Chest tightness may represent angina if it:
occurs with physical or emotional stress
improves with rest
is associated with breathlessness, fatigue, or reduced exercise tolerance
keeps recurring despite reassurance
However, not all chest tightness is angina, and not all angina looks the same. This is why careful assessment matters.
Why angina in women is often misunderstood
Heart disease in women frequently presents differently.
Women are more likely to experience:
microvascular angina (small-vessel disease)
chest tightness without classic severe pain
symptoms that fluctuate
normal or inconclusive initial tests
As a result, some women are left with uncertainty:
“Is this really angina, or something else?”
That uncertainty alone is a reason to seek specialist input.
“My tests were normal, so why do I still have chest tightness?”
This is one of the most common reasons women seek a second opinion.
Normal tests do not always mean:
your symptoms are imaginary
nothing is wrong
your heart has been fully evaluated
Some heart conditions in women require a different approach and interpretation.
If chest tightness persists, worsens, or affects your confidence in daily life, it deserves further evaluation, not dismissal.
When should a woman with chest tightness see a cardiologist?
You do not need to wait for symptoms to become severe or constant.
Chest tightness that is ongoing or recurring should be assessed as soon as possible, even if earlier tests were normal.
You should consider seeing a cardiologist as soon as possible if you:
have ongoing or recurrent chest tightness
have been told it “might be angina” but remain unsure
feel anxious or unsafe ignoring the symptoms
notice symptoms triggered by exertion or stress
want a clear explanation and plan
You do not need to wait for symptoms to become severe or constant.
Early assessment provides clarity, and often reassurance.
What happens at a consultation for chest tightness?
A cardiology consultation is not just about ordering tests.
It starts with:
careful listening to how your symptoms feel and behave
understanding triggers, patterns, and concerns
reviewing risk factors and life stage (including menopause)
deciding together what further evaluation is appropriate
Some women require targeted testing. Others are reassured once the cause is clarified. Either way, uncertainty is replaced with a plan.
Why many women seek a second opinion for chest tightness
Many women come for a second opinion because they:
feel their symptoms were brushed aside
were given a label without explanation
were told “everything is normal” but still feel unwell
want to be sure nothing is being missed
Seeking a second opinion is not being difficult.
It is being careful with your health.
A gentle but important message
Chest tightness should not be ignored, and it should not automatically be assumed to be dangerous either.
The goal is clarity.
Understanding whether your chest tightness is angina, or something else, allows you to move forward with confidence, not fear.
Ready to get clarity?
If you are experiencing chest tightness and have been told it may be angina, or are unsure after researching your symptoms, a calm, unhurried cardiology consultation can help you understand what is happening and what to do next.
You may book an appointment or reach out via WhatsApp to discuss whether an evaluation is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chest Tightness in Women & Angina
What does chest tightness feel like in women?
Chest tightness in women often feels like pressure, heaviness, squeezing, or discomfort rather than sharp pain. Some women describe it as a tight band across the chest, a heaviness that comes and goes, or discomfort triggered by stress or exertion. It may also occur with breathlessness or fatigue.
Is chest tightness always angina?
No. Not all chest tightness is angina. Chest tightness can be caused by many conditions, including muscle strain, reflux, anxiety, or lung problems. However, in women, angina can present subtly, so ongoing or unexplained chest tightness should be properly assessed rather than dismissed.
When is chest tightness considered angina?
Chest tightness may be angina if it:
occurs with physical or emotional stress
improves with rest
recurs in a similar pattern
is associated with breathlessness, fatigue, or reduced exercise tolerance
A careful clinical assessment is needed to determine whether chest tightness is heart-related.
My GP said it could be angina. Should I see a cardiologist?
Yes. If you’ve been told your chest tightness might be angina, seeing a cardiologist is appropriate. A specialist assessment helps confirm whether this is truly angina, whether further tests are needed, and what the safest next steps are.
Can I have angina even if my ECG or initial tests are normal?
Yes. In women, some forms of angina — such as microvascular angina — may not show up on routine tests. Normal initial results do not always mean your heart has been fully evaluated, especially if symptoms persist.
Should I get a second opinion for chest tightness?
Many women seek a second opinion when:
symptoms persist despite reassurance
the explanation given does not feel complete
they were told “everything is normal” but still feel unwell
they want to be sure nothing is being missed
Seeking a second opinion is a reasonable and responsible step.
How urgent is chest tightness?
Chest tightness should be assessed as soon as possible if it is ongoing, recurrent, worsening, or causing anxiety. You do not need to wait for severe pain or an emergency. Early evaluation often provides reassurance and prevents unnecessary worry.
What happens at a cardiology consultation for chest tightness?
The consultation focuses on understanding how your chest tightness feels, when it occurs, and what triggers it. Your cardiologist will review risk factors, life stage (including menopause), and decide together whether further testing or treatment is needed. Not all patients require extensive tests.
Will I definitely need scans or procedures?
Not necessarily. Many women are reassured after careful assessment. If tests are recommended, they are tailored to your symptoms and risk profile. Nothing is done automatically or without discussion.
About Dr Chan Po Fun
Dr Chan Po Fun is a cardiologist in Singapore with a special focus on chest tightness, angina, and heart symptoms in women.
She regularly sees women whose symptoms are subtle, intermittent, or unclear, including those seeking a second opinion for suspected angina.
Her approach is calm, attentive, and evidence-based, helping women gain clarity, reassurance, and a personalised plan for their heart health.
Get clarity, reassurance, and a plan tailored to you
Clinics:
Mount Alvernia Hospital
# 05-51 Medical Centre D, 820 Thomson Road, Singapore 574623
Gleneagles Hospital
Annexe Block # 03-37C, 6A Napier Road, Singapore 258500
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about how heart symptoms can differ in women:
Women may have other symptoms that are typically less associated with heart attack, such as:
Anxiety
Shortness of breath
Upset stomach
Pain in the shoulder, back or arm
Unusual tiredness and weakness
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