What should you know about external angina?

Angina may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, burning or tightness in the chest. Discomfort can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back and may occur with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or unusual tiredness. It often appears with exertion or emotional stress and improves with rest, but patterns vary.

A clinician assesses the story, examines you and may arrange an electrocardiogram or other tests. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol problems and known heart disease can affect risk. Chest discomfort can have other causes, so do not self-diagnose.

Stop and rest when familiar exertional symptoms begin, and follow the action plan given by your clinician. Arrange prompt medical review for symptoms that are new, more frequent, triggered by less activity, lasting longer, or occurring at rest. Take prescribed medicines consistently and discuss side effects rather than stopping them.

A care plan may address blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, activity, sleep and other heart risks. Medicines such as blood pressure medication or statin therapy may be recommended according to your assessment.

Call emergency services immediately for chest discomfort that is severe, new, persistent, occurs at rest, or does not improve with the plan you were given. Urgent help is also needed with severe breathlessness, collapse, faintness, cold sweating, marked weakness or pain spreading to the jaw or arm.

Do not drive yourself during suspected heart symptoms. While waiting, rest in a safe position and follow emergency-operator instructions.

How can I recognise my usual pattern, and what change should trigger emergency help? Which tests will clarify the cause? What activity, medicines and risk-factor changes are suitable for me? How should I use any prescribed rescue treatment?