How to Treat an Angina Attack

Angina Pectoris, known simply as "angina" is chest pain due to coronary heart disease. The pain is a symptom of the heart muscle not getting enough oxygen because the blood flow is blocked by narrowed arteries.

Instructions

• 1

  Know the symptoms of angina to seek immediate treatment. Pain in the chest, fullness, a squeezing feeling or uncomfortable pressure in the middle of the chest can all be signs of an angina attack.

• 2

  Take immediate action. Angina pain is a medical emergency and is a sign of increased risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and sudden death.

• 3

  Watch for activities that trigger an angina attack. Be aware that angina often occurs during exercise, like running to catch a bus, during a time of strong emotions and during times of extreme temperatures, so seek immediate treatment if you have symptoms triggered by this type of stress.

• 4

  See your physician, call 911 or go to an emergency room for any heart pain or chest discomfort occurring at any time. Several tests can be done including an exercise ECG, commonly called a stress test, an echocardiogram and other tests to check the arteries and complete the diagnosis of angina.

• 5

  Take any necessary prescribed medicine. Treatments for angina include drugs called vasodilators which cause blood vessels (arteries) to relax which increase the blood supply to the heart, drugs to reduce blood pressure and other medications depending on individual characteristics of each patient.

• 6

  Keep nitroglycerine tablets handy. During a painful angina attack, nitroglycerine is the medication most often used. People with angina should always carry their prescribed nitroglycerine tablets for emergencies. Nitroglycerine decreases the heart's workload and its need for oxygen, easing the pain.