I'm getting shortness of breath after the fact. does this signal a heart attack, or is it stable angina?

Multiple causes: Baseline lung disease- smoking COPD prior to heart trouble or at the same time! angina can be accompanied by pressure, shortness of breath and congestion.If prior heart attack, angina, congestive failure can occur all together.

It varies: Shortness of breath can be caused by lung or heart problems as well as other conditions. When the heart has poor blood supply as with a heart attack or angina, its pumping function can be reduced, causing shortness of breath.