Intractable angina

Angina can feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, burning, or tightness in the chest. Discomfort may spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back and may come with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or unusual tiredness. Intractable symptoms may continue despite usual treatment, occur with less activity, or happen at rest. This pattern can reflect a change in blood flow to the heart and should not be self-diagnosed.

A clinician may review triggers, duration, heart history, medicines, blood pressure, and risk factors. An electrocardiogram and other tests may help guide the next step.

Use prescribed angina medicine according to your written instructions and stop activity when discomfort begins. Record what you were doing, how the pain felt, and whether medicine helped. Arrange urgent medical review if episodes are changing, becoming more frequent, lasting longer, or appearing with less exertion. Do not start or stop heart medicine without advice.

Call emergency services for chest discomfort that is severe, new, persistent, occurs at rest, or does not improve with your prescribed emergency plan. Get help immediately if it comes with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, nausea, or pain spreading to the jaw, arm, or back. Do not drive yourself.

Ask whether your pattern is stable, which tests are needed, how to use each medicine, and when to call emergency services. Discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, activity, smoking, and whether a cardiology review or procedure should be considered.