Angina
What is angina?
Angina is a pain or discomfort
in the chest, usually caused by coronary heart disease. In some
people the pain may affect only the arm, neck, stomach or jaw.
What does angina feel like?
Angina usually feels like a heaviness or
tightness in your chest which may spread to your
arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Some people say that it
feels like a severe tightness, while others say it’s more like a
dull ache. Some people also experience shortness of
breath.
Angina is often brought on by physical
activity or an emotional upset, cold weather and after a meal.
Symptoms usually subside after a few minutes.
If your symptom pattern changes, you should
speak to your doctor immediately.
Can I prevent angina?
Unfortunately you can’t reverse coronary heart disease, but by
keeping your heart healthy you can help to prevent the condition
and your angina from getting worse. It is important to:
Some medicines can also help
to prevent angina episodes.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
Your doctor may be able to diagnose whether you have angina from
your symptoms that you describe. He or she may want to
carry out a health
check or send you for some tests.
There is medication
that can help to control your symptoms and living a healthy
lifestyle is very important. Some people will
need treatments, such
as angioplasty or heart bypass surgery.
Everyday life with angina
Many people with angina have a good quality of life and continue
with their normal daily activities. Your doctor or nurse will be
able to advise you on your daily activity and any lifestyle changes
you need to make.
What to do if you get chest pain
If you have not been diagnosed with heart disease and
have chest pain, call 999 now.
This information is for you if you have already been
diagnosed with coronary heart disease and have a GTN
(glyceryl trinitrate) spray or tablets.
Sometimes you may experience pain or discomfort. Often this
will be angina that you can manage at home with your GTN, but it
could be a heart attack. Here’s what to do if you feel:
- A crushing pain, heaviness or tightness in your chest,
or
- A pain in your arm, throat, neck, jaw, back or
stomach.
- You might also become sweaty, feel light-headed, sick or short
of breath at the same time.
- Stop what you are doing or sit down and
rest.
- Take your GTN spray and tablets, according to
your doctor or nurse’s instructions. The pain should ease within a
few minutes – if it doesn’t, take a second dose.
- If the pain does not ease within a few minutes
after your second dose, call 999 immediately
- If you’re not allergic to aspirin and there’s
one easily available, chew an adult tablet
(300mg). If you don’t have an aspirin next to you or
you’re not sure if you’re allergic to aspirin, rest until the
ambulance arrives.
Even if your symptoms don’t match the ones above but you
think you’re having a heart attack, call 999
immediately.
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Where can I find more information?
You can order or download our booklet on
Angina or for the South Asian
community Angina
and what you can do about it.
