HealthUnlockedHealthUnlocked
AboutLog in

Experiences with

Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. It's not usually life threatening, but it's a warning sign that you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.

With treatment and healthy lifestyle changes, it's possible to control angina and reduce the risk of these more serious problems.

Get the flu vaccine

Flu can be very serious if you have angina. Ask for your free flu jab at:

  • your GP surgery
  • a local pharmacy that has a flu vaccine service

Find out more about the flu vaccine

Symptoms of angina

The main symptom of angina is chest pain.

Chest pain caused by angina usually:

  • feels tight, dull or heavy – it may spread to your left arm, neck, jaw or back
  • is triggered by physical exertion or stress
  • stops within a few minutes of resting

Sometimes there might be other symptoms, like feeling sick or breathless.

When to get medical help

If you have not been diagnosed with angina, get an urgent GP appointment if you have an attack of chest pain that stops within a few minutes of resting.

They can check if it might be a heart problem and refer you to a hospital for tests.

Find out more about how angina is diagnosed

Call 999 for an ambulance if you have chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes. This could be a heart attack.

Types

There are 2 main types of angina you can be diagnosed with:

  • stable angina (more common) – attacks have a trigger (such as stress or exercise) and stop within a few minutes of resting
  • unstable angina (more serious) – attacks are more unpredictable (they may not have a trigger) and can continue despite resting

Some people develop unstable angina after having stable angina.

Treatment for angina

You'll probably need to take several different medicines for the rest of your life.

You may be given medicine to:

  • treat attacks when they happen (only taken when needed)
  • prevent further attacks
  • reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes

If medicines are not suitable or do not help, an operation to improve blood flow to your heart muscles may be recommended.

Living with angina

If it's well controlled, there's no reason why you cannot have a largely normal life with angina.

You can usually continue to do most of your normal activities.

One of the most important things you'll need to do is to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as:

  • having a balanced diet
  • cutting down on alcohol
  • stopping smoking if you smoke
  • losing weight if you're overweight
  • exercising regularly – gentle exercises are usually safe

This can help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Causes of angina

Angina is usually caused by the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscles becoming narrowed by a build-up of fatty substances.

This is called atherosclerosis.

Things that can increase your risk of atherosclerosis include:

  • an unhealthy diet
  • a lack of exercise
  • smoking
  • increasing age
  • a family history of atherosclerosis or heart problems

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

  • Posts

  • Communities

1,788 public posts

Exercise stress test with echo

Hi, just had my phone appointment and scheduled for this test.Has anyone any experience with this test, and how useful it is for revealing microvascular angina or coronary spasm? Thanks in advance.
Hi, just had my phone appointment and scheduled for this test.Has anyone any experience with this test, and how useful it is for revealing microvascular angina or coronary spasm? Thanks in advance.
Goldenheart
in AF Association

Saying hello

Hi there I’m new here & have been checking out posts for info , I was diagnosed with copd 9 years ago after I gave up smoking & as it seemed to be under control nothing more was said to me & any breathing problems were put down to angina although tests on my heart never showed a problem.
Hi there I’m new here & have been checking out posts for info , I was diagnosed with copd 9 years ago after I gave up smoking & as it seemed to be under control nothing more was said to me & any breathing problems were put down to angina although tests on my heart never showed a problem.
Spoticus
in British Lung Foundation

A fib causing a weak sensation?

I also have a presumed diagnosis of coronary artery spasm, and possible microvascular angina. Hard to deferentiate between these conditions,as in,is one triggering the other.
I also have a presumed diagnosis of coronary artery spasm, and possible microvascular angina. Hard to deferentiate between these conditions,as in,is one triggering the other.
Goldenheart
in AF Association
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Sudden sharp pain in chest

It's not Angina as she had a CT Angiogram in January which was all clear but GTN spray did seem to help. She does suffer from PAF but no recent episodes and was due to have Bisoprolol dose reduced as becoming Bracicardic. Thanks Graham
It's not Angina as she had a CT Angiogram in January which was all clear but GTN spray did seem to help. She does suffer from PAF but no recent episodes and was due to have Bisoprolol dose reduced as becoming Bracicardic. Thanks Graham
DevonHubby1
in AF Association

Heart Spasm

I researched online and on this website and a lot of people have spasms but they have pain some people have coronary artery spasms do some people have microvascular angina has anyone else dealt with this
I researched online and on this website and a lot of people have spasms but they have pain some people have coronary artery spasms do some people have microvascular angina has anyone else dealt with this
Boom214
in AF Association

Spasm in heart has anyone experience this no pain?

I researched online and on this website and a lot of people have spasms but they have pain some people have coronary artery spasms do some people have microvascular angina has anyone else dealt with this
I researched online and on this website and a lot of people have spasms but they have pain some people have coronary artery spasms do some people have microvascular angina has anyone else dealt with this
Boom214
in Sudden Cardiac Arrest & Heart Attack

Blocked Artery

I live in Spain and was diagnosed with Angina some years ago and prescribed medication. After a few years my condition got worse I was given an angiogram, when they discovered a totally blocked artery.
I live in Spain and was diagnosed with Angina some years ago and prescribed medication. After a few years my condition got worse I was given an angiogram, when they discovered a totally blocked artery.
polopblue
in AF Association

Angina attacks with Hashimoto's

Does anyone experience angina attacks with Hashimoto's in the morning and evening and what is the cause is the onnection with adrenals as I am currently taking metativive and wp and adrenavive but suffering very bad angina attacks to the point I thought I might have to call 111, I have also been battling
Does anyone experience angina attacks with Hashimoto's in the morning and evening and what is the cause is the onnection with adrenals as I am currently taking metativive and wp and adrenavive but suffering very bad angina attacks to the point I thought I might have to call 111, I have also been battling
Merlio18
in Thyroid UK

Angina? Or Anxiety? 28 year old.

I've seen my doctor on two separate occasions and all was normal and even spoke with my cardiologist who also said "its very very unlikely and would a rare phenomenon, if it was angina at your age." I guess it simply doesn't happen according to both of my doctors and both think its just anxiety.
I've seen my doctor on two separate occasions and all was normal and even spoke with my cardiologist who also said "its very very unlikely and would a rare phenomenon, if it was angina at your age." I guess it simply doesn't happen according to both of my doctors and both think its just anxiety.
CT868
in AF Association

Angina

Hi all, Can I ask what your angina pains you get, as I am having different pains recently like electric shock to the heart they only last for a second, the other night I had about 8, I took gtn and the pain did go eventually.
Hi all, Can I ask what your angina pains you get, as I am having different pains recently like electric shock to the heart they only last for a second, the other night I had about 8, I took gtn and the pain did go eventually.
Padalak6
in British Heart Foundation

Angina.

Was diagnosed with angina 2 wks ago and put on 300mg asprin but the pain in the left shoulder, arm, neck and chest seem to persist. Is this normal
Was diagnosed with angina 2 wks ago and put on 300mg asprin but the pain in the left shoulder, arm, neck and chest seem to persist. Is this normal
Che21
in British Heart Foundation

Angina

breathlessness, nausea that’s been happening since September, I spoke with doctors they thought was indigestion , but it’s just got a daily occurrence , now my blood test was normal , resting ecg was normal as was exercise ecg , they have referred me for a scan as symptoms point towards angina but I’
breathlessness, nausea that’s been happening since September, I spoke with doctors they thought was indigestion , but it’s just got a daily occurrence , now my blood test was normal , resting ecg was normal as was exercise ecg , they have referred me for a scan as symptoms point towards angina but I’
Huxtaboo
in British Heart Foundation

Angina?

Has anyone come from angina back to running again?
Has anyone come from angina back to running again?
BecksC25K
in Couch to 5K

Angina Question

When chatting with a lady yesterday, she advised she sometimes gets Angina almost every day when walking or even doing light housework. Is this possible and has anyone experienced chest pain to some degree or another most days. If so, how would you deal with such a problem.
When chatting with a lady yesterday, she advised she sometimes gets Angina almost every day when walking or even doing light housework. Is this possible and has anyone experienced chest pain to some degree or another most days. If so, how would you deal with such a problem.
Smileyian
in British Heart Foundation

Vasospastic Angina

Hi , I have just been diagnosed with Vasospasmic Angina. Im 58yr old man otherwise healthy and until this day I have a very active life. I feel I've been to hell and back.
Hi , I have just been diagnosed with Vasospasmic Angina. Im 58yr old man otherwise healthy and until this day I have a very active life. I feel I've been to hell and back.
Battle2020
in British Heart Foundation

Unstable Angina

Hi is there any advice on UA as I was never given a definite diagnosis of my angioplasty and Stent I have twinges and pains at rest but not so much on exertion every time I get a twinge and pain I go into panic mode
Hi is there any advice on UA as I was never given a definite diagnosis of my angioplasty and Stent I have twinges and pains at rest but not so much on exertion every time I get a twinge and pain I go into panic mode
11walking22
in British Heart Foundation

Excessive tiredness comes from nowhere can this be the result of Angina?

Can this be due to microvascular and vasospastic angina? In terms of pain and other symptoms the angina is well managed by daily medication. Or is this more likely the issue of age? Many thanks,
Can this be due to microvascular and vasospastic angina? In terms of pain and other symptoms the angina is well managed by daily medication. Or is this more likely the issue of age? Many thanks,
Mutley20
in British Heart Foundation

Anyone heard of Crescendo Angina?

Doctor mentioned Crescendo Angina but havent seen him again since. Anyone know if theres any difference to unstable angina?
Doctor mentioned Crescendo Angina but havent seen him again since. Anyone know if theres any difference to unstable angina?
Tab1966
in British Heart Foundation

Palpitations following angina pains

Does anyone experience this, episodes of angina pains,chest tightness ,breathlessness,followed by an episode of a racing heart?
Does anyone experience this, episodes of angina pains,chest tightness ,breathlessness,followed by an episode of a racing heart?
Goldenheart
in British Heart Foundation

Angina progressively getting worse

Tried 5mg of bisoprolol to reduce angina but my BP and HR would dip and I got dizzy so back to 2.5mg and double monomil.
Tried 5mg of bisoprolol to reduce angina but my BP and HR would dip and I got dizzy so back to 2.5mg and double monomil.
MrDIY
in British Heart Foundation
  • 1
  • 2
  • ...
  • 90
  • Next page
  • 10
  • 20
  • 30
  • 40
  • 50
  • 60
  • 70
  • 80
  • 90
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by
HealthUnlocked
© 2021 All rights reserved.
App store
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Average rating: 4.8

Company

About Us

Our Team

Partner with us

Careers

Blog

Product

Health terms A to Z

Communities A to Z

iPhone app

Start a Community

Support

Help Centre

Community Guidelines

Contact us

Cookies settings

App store
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Average rating: 4.8
TermsPrivacySecurityCookies