Characteristics of stable angina

Angina is discomfort caused when the heart muscle temporarily receives less oxygen-rich blood than it needs. Stable symptoms tend to follow a familiar pattern: walking uphill, rushing, cold air, or emotional strain may bring them on, while stopping and resting may ease them. The feeling can be pressure, squeezing, heaviness, burning, or tightness, and it may spread to the arm, shoulder, jaw, back, or neck. A symptom pattern can change, so a previous diagnosis does not explain every future episode.

Arrange a clinical review if this is new, recurring, or limiting activity. A clinician may assess your history, pulse, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and risk factors, and may recommend an Electrocardiogram or other tests. Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed and keep a record of triggers, duration, location, and associated symptoms. Do not stop heart or blood-pressure treatment without advice.

Call emergency services for chest discomfort that is severe, new, occurs at rest, lasts longer than expected, or does not settle with your prescribed plan. Seek urgent help with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, marked weakness, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. These features can signal a heart emergency and should not be judged by comparing them with an earlier episode.

Ask what activity level is appropriate, how to use any prescribed relief medicine, which symptoms should trigger emergency help, and whether you need an Electrocardiogram. Discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and how treatments such as Blood Pressure Medication or Statin Therapy fit your plan.