Living with angina
You can find all the necessary information to understand angina, its global impact, its causes and consequences, and how to get angina under control.
Angina
Taking control
How should angina be managed?1,2
Angina pectoris treatment is based on 2 approaches: one that is an acute management of the painful attack and one that is long term.The objectives are to
Restore, if possible, a good blood flow to the heart.
Manage the symptoms.
Prevent angina attacks.
Avoid complications such as or heart failure .
myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction (also called heart attack): the interruption of the blood supply to a part of the heart because of blockage of an artery (usually blood clot), damaging the heart. It's a medical emergency as it can be life-threatening.
Did you know?
44%
of patients don’t have an adequate treatment.3
Only 25%
of patients who reported angina in the prior month have their treatment escalated at the end of their visit.4
Treatments to manage angina
Why do I need an acute treatment?1,2
Goal
To treat the angina attack and the associated pain.
When?
When you experience angina chest pain or discomfort or before a potential trigger (exercise, emotional stress, heavy meal, etc).
How?
By taking specific medicines: short-acting nitrates in the form of tablets that you put under your tongue or as a mouth spray.
Why?
It will relax and widen your blood vessels, increasing your blood flow and restoring a good blood flow to your heart.
Why do I need a long-term treatment?
Goal
To treat the angina attack and the associated pain.
When?
Daily, as angina is a chronic symptom and therefore a long-term treatment is needed.
How?
By a multifaceted approach including medicines, lifestyle changes, sometimes medical procedures and surgery if needed, and by knowing your triggers.
Why do I need an acute treatment?1,2
Goal
To treat the angina attack and the associated pain.
When?
When you experience angina chest pain or discomfort or before a potential trigger (exercise, emotional stress, heavy meal, etc).
How?
By taking specific medicines: short-acting nitrates in the form of tablets that you put under your tongue or as a mouth spray.
Why?
It will relax and widen your blood vessels, increasing your blood flow and restoring a good blood flow to your heart.
Why do I need a long-term treatment?
Goal
To treat the angina attack and the associated pain.
When?
Daily, as angina is a chronic symptom and therefore a long-term treatment is needed.
How?
By a multifaceted approach including medicines, lifestyle changes, sometimes medical procedures and surgery if needed, and by knowing your triggers.
1 | 2
Medicines1,5,6
To get angina under control and prevent angina attacks, your doctor might prescribe more than 1 medicine to be taken every day.
Medicines to reduce angina symptoms
Trimetazidine
Ivabradine
β-Blockers
Long-acting nitrates
Calcium-channel blockers
Nicorandil
Medicines to prevent blood clots
Statins
Aspirin
Other clot-preventing drugs (clopidogrel, ticagrelor, etc)
Important
If you have any doubts or questions about your treatment for angina or any other condition, talk to your doctor.
Lifestyle changes1
To live with angina and reduce the risk of having further problems in the future, it is not only about managing angina pain and its other symptoms. You have an important role to play, particularly by changing your lifestyle to include doing regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing your stress, monitoring your blood pressure, improving your diet, and moderating alcohol consumption.
Start doing regular physical activity.7-9
Quit smoking.10-13
Improve your diet.14,15
Manage your stress.7,16,18
Monitor your blood pressure.7
Find more about heart rate.19-21
Medical procedures and surgery1
Medical procedures and surgery may be considered if needed. If you would like more information on this treatment approach, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.Know your triggers1
As most episodes of angina follow a pattern, try to know and to track your possible triggers (exercise, emotional stress, etc) to manage episodes of angina.
Download Angina App
Download Angina App
References
3
Kureshi F et al. Clin Cardiol. 2017;40(1):6-10.
4
Qintar M et al. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2016;2(3):208-214
5
Ferrari R. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2018;15(2):120-132.
6
Knuuti Jet al. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(3):407-477.
8
Letnes JM et al. Eur Heart J. 2019;40(20):1633-1639.
9
Gopinath B et al. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):10522.
10
Gometz ED. Virtual mentor. 2011;13(1):31-35.
12
Tindle HA et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018;110(11):1201-1207.
14
Pollock RL. JRSM Cardiovasc Dis. 2016;5:1-9.
15
Hooper L et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;10(6):CD011737.
16
Schneider RH et al. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2012;5(6):750-758.
17
Jespersen L et al. Clin Res Cardiol. 2013;102(8):571-581.
18
Jespersen L et al. Eur Heart J. 2013;34(42):3294-3303.
20
Kaski JC et al. Open Heart. 2018;5(1):e000725.
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The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Last modified date: 4/1/2022
