What to know about antianginal treatment

Some widen blood vessels, some slow the heart, and others reduce the heart's workload in different ways. Symptom control does not replace assessment and treatment of the underlying cardiovascular risk.

An antianginal is a medicine used to relieve an episode of angina or make future episodes less frequent. A fast-acting medicine may be prescribed for use when pain begins or before a known trigger. A longer-acting medicine may be taken regularly to reduce symptoms.

The choice can depend on pulse, blood pressure, other conditions, current medicines and side effects. Medicines that lower cholesterol or blood pressure may also be prescribed to reduce cardiovascular risk, even though they do not serve the same immediate purpose as symptom-relief treatment.

Follow the label and your clinician's specific plan. Learn which medicine is for sudden symptoms and which is for daily prevention. Keep the rapid-relief medicine accessible if prescribed, check its storage and expiry instructions, and do not share it.

Record when symptoms occur, what you were doing, how long they lasted and whether the prescribed medicine helped. Tell the prescriber about dizziness, faintness, headache, ankle swelling, wheezing, a very slow pulse, or a change in episode pattern. Do not stop a regular heart medicine suddenly unless a clinician directs you.

Call UAE emergency services for new or severe chest pressure, symptoms occurring at rest, or discomfort with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or shoulder. Stop activity and follow your emergency medicine plan while help is arranged.

Urgent assessment is also needed when an episode lasts longer than expected, returns repeatedly, or does not respond as your clinician said it should. Do not drive yourself if a heart emergency may be occurring.

Ask which medicine treats an active episode, exactly when and how to take it, what to do if symptoms continue, and which side effects warrant a call. Confirm whether any erectile-dysfunction medicine, migraine treatment, supplement or over-the-counter product could interact with your prescription.