How to Stay Calm During an Angina Attack

If you have been diagnosed with angina, you know that it can be a frightening experience when you have to deal with an angina attack. Attacks can come out of the blue. Angina constricts blood flow to your heart, causing pain and pressure.

Instructions

• 1

  Stay calm during an angina attack by remembering that angina is not a heart attack. The symptoms feel as if you're having a heart attack, though, and this is what's so unnerving. Angina causes chest pain, pressure and sometimes a burning sensation. You can even experience pain in your arm, jaw or neck. Get your thoughts under control immediately and remind yourself that you are not having a heart attack.

• 2

  Stop whatever you are doing and rest. An angina attack usually goes away or gets better when you stop activity. Sit down, relax and loosen your belt or any tight clothing you may be wearing. Get comfortable. Sit still and think about your favorite peaceful scene. Some people pick out a picture of a quiet scene such as a lake surrounded by beautiful trees. Whatever image is peaceful for you, focus on that.

• 3

  Practice deep breathing exercises as a way to stay calm during an angina attack. Breathe in slowly and exhale slowly several times. Deep breathing is not just when your chest or your shoulders move. You know you are breathing deeply enough when your abdomen expands outward as you inhale. Deep breathing will not only help relieve the pressure in your chest, it will help to calm your emotions also.

• 4

  Manage the stress of an angina attack that happens during the night. Angina can happen even when you are in bed. If it does, don't panic. Sit up or stand up. When you get upright, it takes the pressure off of your heart, thus stopping the attack. Stay calm during an angina attack that happens in bed by getting upright, breathing deeply and thinking good thoughts.