Chest pain is classified by the number of characteristic anginal features. The NICE classification also incorporates the resting electrocardiogram.
Three characteristic features
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Constricting discomfort occurs in the centre of the chest or in the neck, shoulders, jaw or arms.
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Physical exertion precipitates the discomfort.
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Rest or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) relieves the discomfort within 5 minutes.
Classification by symptom count
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Typical angina has all three characteristic features.
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Atypical angina has two characteristic features.
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Non-anginal chest pain has one or none of the characteristic features.
NICE classification
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Possible angina includes typical angina, atypical angina, or non-anginal chest pain accompanied by an abnormal resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
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Non-anginal chest pain with a normal resting 12-lead ECG remains classified as non-anginal chest pain.
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NICE stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.