What should you know about etiology of stable angina?

The heart needs more oxygen when you walk uphill, exercise, or become stressed. Fatty deposits and changes in the artery wall can reduce the space available for blood flow. The resulting mismatch may cause pressure, squeezing, tightness, or burning in the chest, sometimes spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Stable symptoms tend to occur with a similar level of activity and settle with rest or prescribed medicine.

High blood pressure can strain artery walls and increase the heart's workload. Smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, age, and family history can also influence risk.

A clinician may review the symptom pattern, examine you, and arrange tests such as an electrocardiogram. Treatment can include medicines that reduce the heart's workload, improve blood flow, or lower cardiovascular risk. Take blood pressure medication or statin therapy only as prescribed, and do not stop them without medical advice.

Pace activity, avoid smoking, follow a heart-healthy eating pattern, and attend follow-up appointments. Ask for an individual exercise plan rather than pushing through chest discomfort.

Call emergency services for chest discomfort that is new, severe, prolonged, occurs at rest, or does not improve with the action prescribed for your angina. Also seek emergency help for breathlessness, sweating, fainting, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. A change from your usual stable pattern can signal an acute heart problem.

Ask which activities are safe, how to use your prescribed rescue medicine, which symptoms represent a change in pattern, and when testing should be repeated. Discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and a plan for gradually improving fitness.