What symptom suggests that a patient may be experiencing angina during an assessment?

Angina typically presents as chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to various areas of the body as a result of reduced blood flow to the heart. The hallmark symptom indicative of angina is chest pain that radiates to the jaw and arm, particularly the left arm. This pattern is significant because it is associated with the heart and reflects the referral of pain due to the shared nerve pathways in the thorax and upper extremities. Patients may describe this pain as a tightness, pressure, or squeezing sensation, which can often make it difficult to distinguish from other types of discomfort.

The other symptoms mentioned do not align as closely with typical presentations of angina. While chest pain radiating to the back can occur, it is less characteristic of angina. Leg pain is more associated with peripheral artery disease or claudication rather than coronary issues. Headaches, although potentially a symptom in various conditions, do not relate directly to angina.