Introduction

If you've never experienced symptoms of angina, it's advisable to contact your healthcare provider, especially if you're unsure about the symptoms or the necessary actions to take.

• Don't delay reaching out to a doctor. Waiting can jeopardize your well-being.
• Emergency responders are well-trained to recognize angina and provide rapid, safe treatment.

If you've previously had angina, you might not need to seek medical care if the symptoms remain consistent with your past experiences.

• If you've already consulted with a healthcare provider who has provided guidance on how to manage these symptoms, follow that advice. This typically involves rest, reducing stress, and using sublingual nitroglycerin.

If you've had angina before, it's essential to go to the nearest hospital emergency department if any of the following situations occur:

• If there's any change in your typical angina symptoms.
• If the symptoms differ from your usual experience or become more severe.
• If the symptoms manifest at rest or with less activity than usual.
• If the symptoms don't improve with rest or sublingual nitroglycerin.
• If you're uncertain about the appropriate course of action.

Any of these situations may constitute a medical emergency, necessitating a visit to the hospital emergency department.

• Don't procrastinate or attempt to wait it out.
• Don't drive yourself to the hospital.
• Call for emergency medical transport.

If you believe you have risk factors for angina but no symptoms, contact a healthcare provider to arrange an evaluation in their office. Don't wait for symptoms to manifest.

Self-Care at Home

If you experience angina symptoms, cease any activity that triggers them and call 911 immediately. Swift intervention and assistance offer the best chance of survival if you're having a heart attack or another critical issue.

• Lie down in a comfortable position with your head elevated.
• Chew an adult aspirin or its equivalent (if you're not allergic to aspirin). Chewing more than one won't provide additional benefits and may lead to unwanted side effects.

If you've had angina before and received guidance from a healthcare provider, follow their recommendations.

• This may involve rest and the immediate use of sublingual nitroglycerin.
• It might include a visit to the hospital emergency department.

Follow-up

If you have stable angina, regular visits to your healthcare provider are necessary to monitor angina episodes and assess the reduction of risk factors.

Your healthcare provider will periodically evaluate your heart function and assess the underlying disease. These evaluations may include the following tests:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise tolerance tests
• Thallium stress test
• Repeat cardiac catheterization to check the status of dilated arteries, stents, or surgical bypass grafts. Remember, none of these procedures provide a permanent cure, and they require vigilant risk factor management to prevent recurrence.