What angina at rest means

Rest symptoms may happen while sitting, lying down or sleeping. They should not be dismissed simply because physical activity did not trigger them.

Predictable angina is often associated with a repeatable demand on the heart, such as walking uphill. Discomfort that begins at rest, occurs with less activity than before, lasts longer, or becomes more frequent represents a change from that stable pattern.

Angina can present with pressure, squeezing, heaviness or tightness and may spread to an arm, jaw, shoulder, back or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, nausea, sweating or light-headedness may accompany it. Other conditions can mimic these sensations, so symptoms need clinical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Stop what you are doing and follow your prescribed angina action plan. If you have been given rapid-relief medicine, use it exactly as directed. Note when the episode began, whether it is spreading, and any breathlessness, sweating, nausea or faintness.

A newly altered pattern needs same-day medical attention even if the discomfort settles, because a clinician may need to review your heart rhythm, blood pressure, medicines and further testing. Do not adjust regular doses or use someone else's prescription.

Call UAE emergency services when chest pressure is new or severe, persists, repeatedly returns, feels different from your known pattern, or occurs with marked breathlessness, sweating, nausea, collapse, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, shoulder or back.

If prescribed rescue medicine does not work within the instructions in your personal plan, seek emergency help. Do not wait for a clinic appointment and do not drive yourself.

Ask whether this represents a change in your angina pattern, what tests are needed, whether current medicines could be contributing, and which treatments may require adjustment. Have the clinician write down your emergency steps and the threshold for calling an ambulance.