Stabbing, pricking or other sharp and well-localised and transient chest pains are usually not related to angina. These could be due to indigestion or a muscle spasm. Dr Peeyush Jain, Head, Department of Preventive Cardiology, Fortis-Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, tells you the difference. Chest discomfort/chest pain, also known as angina, is a major symptom of heart disease. Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen due to critical narrowing of coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. This makes your heart cry out for more blood. And this cry is symptomised as chest pain. However, all chest pain is not angina.