Is this angina? how do you know if you have angina? i've got a pain in my upper chest that appears and disappears, but i'm not sure what it is.

Angina : Angina is one of several causes of chest pain, but is a serious one that should not be missed. Angina is caused by atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Classically, angina feels like a pressure or heaviness in the middle or left side of the chest. It is brought on by physical exertion or emotional stress, and goes away only after several minutes if you stop and rest. The discomfort can radiate into the jaw or left arm, and can be associated with other symptoms like nausea, sweating or dizziness. Not everybody with angina has these classic symptoms though. Women and patients with diabetes are more likely to experience a variation of these symptoms called 'atypical angina.' if you are having chest pain, you should see a physician.

Angina: You are describing serious symptoms that should not be ignored. It would be best for you to contact your health provider asap. Whether this is heart related is often difficult to determine without further testing and treatment. The safest thing to do is contact qualified practioners who can help you immediately. Half of patients who suffer chest pain do not survive if it leads to heart attack.