What should you know about forms of angina?

Stable angina tends to follow a familiar pattern, such as discomfort brought on by exertion or emotional stress and eased by rest. Unstable angina is new, worsening, more frequent or present with less activity, and needs urgent assessment because it may signal a serious reduction in blood flow. Variant angina can occur at rest because of temporary tightening of a coronary artery. Angina may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness or Chest Tightness and can spread to the arm, shoulder, jaw, back or upper abdomen. Hypertension can contribute to strain on the heart and blood vessels, but chest symptoms need assessment rather than assumptions about their cause.

Stop activity and sit or rest when familiar symptoms begin. Use prescribed angina medicine exactly as instructed and record what triggered the episode, how long it lasted and whether it changed with rest. A clinician may consider an Electrocardiogram and other tests. Treatment can include Blood Pressure Medication or Statin Therapy when appropriate, alongside an individual plan for activity and risk factors. Never borrow heart medicine from another person.

Call emergency services for new, severe or worsening chest discomfort, symptoms at rest, breathlessness, sweating, nausea, fainting or discomfort that spreads to the arm or jaw. Also seek emergency help if prescribed medicine does not relieve the episode as directed. Do not drive yourself. Even familiar symptoms deserve urgent review when their pattern changes.

Ask which pattern your symptoms suggest, what to do during an episode, which tests are needed and how your medicines fit your personal heart-risk plan.