You are helping Mr. Henderson down the hall to the dining room when he suddenly stops, clutches his chest, and tells you he feels like a heavy weight is crushing him. Recognizing these signs as angina means you can act fast to ease his pain and potentially prevent a heart attack.
What is Angina?
Angina (an-JY-nuh) is temporary chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. It isn’t a disease itself, but rather a symptom of coronary artery disease. Residents often describe it as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or a burning sensation in the chest. Think of it as the heart muscle “cramping” because it is working too hard and needs a rest.
Why Angina Matters in Your Daily Care
For residents with heart conditions, angina is a major warning sign that their heart is under stress. If ignored, it can lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack). As a CNA, your role is to recognize the symptoms immediately and stop the activity causing the stress. By quickly getting the resident to rest and reporting it to the nurse, you ensure they receive interventions like nitroglycerin or oxygen, protecting their health and safety.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
You will most likely encounter this during physical activity, such as walking, bathing, or during emotional stress. The resident may become pale, sweat, or rub their chest, left shoulder, neck, or jaw. They might look short of breath or anxious.
“Nurse Jessica, I was walking Mr. Henderson to lunch and he stopped, grabbing his chest. He says it feels like squeezing and he’s short of breath. I sat him down in the chair immediately and canceled the walk. He’s resting now, but he looks really anxious.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Assuming the resident is just tired or has indigestion and encouraging them to “keep moving” to get to their destination or meal.
Pro Tip: Always treat chest pain as an emergency until the nurse says otherwise. The moment a resident complains of chest discomfort, stop whatever you are doing and help them sit or lie down. Do not leave them alone.
Memory Aid for Angina
Think “Charlie Horse in the Heart.” Just like a leg cramp happens when a muscle is overworked and needs rest, angina happens when the heart muscle is overworked. Stop the activity to help the “cramp” go away.
State Test Connection
Expect questions on the CNA exam regarding the immediate response to chest pain, recognizing the difference between stable angina (occurs with exertion) and a heart attack, and understanding when to report symptoms immediately.
Related Care Concepts
Recognizing angina connects directly to monitoring vital signs (blood pressure often changes), assisting with oxygen therapy, and understanding activities of daily living (ADLs) to identify what triggered the episode. It also relates to silent myocardial infarction, where residents (especially those with diabetes) may have heart attacks without the classic chest pain.
Quick Reference
✓ Key signs: Chest pressure/squeezing, pain radiating to arm/jaw/back, shortness of breath, sweating ✓ When to report: Immediately upon resident complaint or observation ✓ Care reminders: • Stop activity immediately and help resident rest • Stay with the resident until the nurse assesses them • Do not give food, drink, or medication (unless specifically trained) • Keep the resident calm to reduce heart workload
Bottom line: When a resident’s heart cries out for help, your calm and quick response can make all the difference.