Chest tightness that keeps coming back is stressful. Chronic angina means your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen during activity or stress. It’s usually predictable — a walk uphill, cold weather, or emotional stress can trigger it. You don’t have to live with the pain, but you should know what helps, what warns of danger, and when to call your doctor.
The most common cause is narrowed coronary arteries from atherosclerosis — fatty build-up that reduces blood flow. Other causes include coronary spasms and, less often, microvascular disease. Typical symptoms: pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest that may spread to your jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm. Shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea can come with it. If pain shows up at rest, gets much worse, or lasts longer than usual, treat it as an emergency.
Medicine often controls chronic angina. Common drug groups include:
- Short-acting nitrates (nitroglycerin spray or tablets) to stop attacks fast. Nitrates like isosorbide mononitrate are used for longer-term prevention.
- Beta blockers to lower heart workload and reduce episodes.
- Calcium channel blockers if beta blockers aren’t right or symptoms persist.
- Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin or others) to reduce clot risk, and statins to lower cholesterol and slow artery narrowing.
- Newer options like ranolazine may help when other drugs don’t fully control symptoms.
If medicines don’t work or if tests show serious blockages, procedures such as angioplasty with stents or bypass surgery may be recommended to restore blood flow.
Small daily choices matter. Stop smoking — it cuts angina almost immediately. Keep active with doctor-approved exercise; regular walking often makes symptoms milder over time. Aim for a heart-healthy diet: vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and cut back on salt and processed foods. Manage weight, control blood pressure and diabetes, and get enough sleep. Stress relief—breathing, short walks, or talking to someone—can reduce attack triggers.
Be careful with medicines and supplements. Some drugs and herbal products can worsen angina or interact with heart meds. Always tell your clinician about over-the-counter drugs and online purchases. If you’re considering online pharmacies, choose licensed sources and keep prescriptions current.
Watch for warning signs: sudden worsening of chest pain, chest pain at rest, fainting, or symptoms not eased by nitroglycerin. Those require immediate medical attention. For steady, predictable angina, follow your treatment plan, keep routine checkups, and speak up if symptoms change.
If you want, we can point you to reliable pages on medicines used for angina, lifestyle steps to lower your risk, or how revascularization works. Want that?
