Blood pressure during angina

Angina is discomfort caused when the heart muscle needs more oxygen than the coronary arteries can deliver. Pain, exertion, and anxiety can push blood pressure up; medicines, rest, or reduced heart pumping can make it fall. A single reading during pain cannot confirm or exclude angina.

Angina may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or tightness and can spread to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Hypertension can strain blood vessels over time, but chest discomfort has several possible causes.

Stop exertion, sit upright, and follow the personal action plan given by your clinician. If prescribed a reliever such as glyceryl trinitrate, use it exactly as instructed. Do not drive yourself if chest discomfort is severe, new, or not settling.

Keep a record of triggers, duration, associated symptoms, and readings for your appointment. Take prescribed blood-pressure or cholesterol treatment as directed unless a clinician tells you otherwise.

Call emergency services for new or worsening chest pain, pain at rest, discomfort lasting longer than expected, severe breathlessness, sweating, nausea, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Do not wait for a blood-pressure reading before seeking help.

Ask whether you need an ECG, how to use your angina plan, what blood-pressure range is appropriate for you, and how your medicines affect exercise symptoms.