What should you know about angina characteristics?

It may spread to either arm, the shoulders, neck, jaw, back or upper abdomen. Some people notice breathlessness, nausea, sweating, dizziness or unusual tiredness instead of prominent chest pain.

Stable angina tends to follow a recognisable pattern. Physical effort, emotional stress, cold weather or a heavy meal can make the heart work harder and bring on symptoms. The discomfort often eases after stopping the activity, resting or using prescribed angina medicine.

A new pattern matters. Episodes that start at rest, occur with less effort, feel stronger, last longer, happen more often or do not respond as expected may represent unstable angina or another urgent heart problem. Chest discomfort can also come from the lungs, digestive system or chest wall, so symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause.

Stop the activity and rest in a safe place. If you have a personal angina action plan or prescribed fast-acting medicine, follow its directions exactly. Do not use another person's medicine or change your regular heart medicines on your own.

Record what you were doing, where the discomfort occurred, how it felt, where it spread, associated symptoms and what relieved it. Arrange a prompt medical assessment for recurring chest discomfort, even if it settles, because a clinician may need to examine you, review cardiovascular risks and consider an electrocardiogram or other tests.

Call local emergency services for new or severe chest pressure or tightness, discomfort that persists or occurs at rest, or symptoms that do not improve as your prescribed action plan says they should. Seek emergency help as well when chest discomfort accompanies sweating, faintness, marked breathlessness, nausea, or pain spreading to an arm, the jaw, back or upper abdomen.

Do not drive yourself when a heart attack or unstable angina may be occurring. Emergency teams can assess you and begin treatment during transport. A change from your established angina pattern deserves urgent assessment even when the episode has ended.

Ask which features of your symptoms fit angina, what else could cause them and which changes should trigger emergency care. Clarify how and when to use your prescribed medicine, what to do if it does not help, and whether your activity needs temporary adjustment.

You can also ask whether blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes or family history affects your heart risk; which tests are suitable; and how preventive medicines or lifestyle changes fit your care plan. Bring your symptom record and an up-to-date medicines list.