How effective is blood pressure medication for angina?

Angina is chest discomfort caused when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood for its workload. Medicines used for blood pressure may lower the force or speed of the heartbeat, relax blood vessels, or reduce pressure against which the heart pumps. This can make exertion more tolerable and reduce episodes for some people. It does not remove every cause of angina, and symptoms can persist if coronary artery narrowing or another problem needs additional treatment. Monitoring helps balance symptom relief with dizziness, slow pulse or other effects.

Take the medicine consistently and check your blood pressure and pulse as instructed. Do not stop a heart medicine abruptly. Record when chest discomfort occurs, what activity triggered it, how long it lasted and whether the prescribed reliever helped. Ask before taking new medicines, including decongestants. Learn more about [Blood Pressure Medication] and [Angina].

Call emergency services for chest pressure that is severe, new, occurs at rest, lasts longer than expected, or comes with sweating, nausea, faintness or breathlessness. Do the same for pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw. Do not wait for a routine appointment if your usual pattern changes or your prescribed reliever is not helping.

Ask which medicine is intended to control pressure and which is intended to relieve angina, what readings or side effects should prompt a call, and whether you need an exercise plan or further heart assessment.