Living with angina

Angina tends to be a life-long condition, so treatment needs to also last for life. By following medical advice and making the right lifestyle changes, people with angina can continue to lead full and active lives.

The impact of angina on everyday life can be reduced by learning what activities can trigger an attack, and then by either avoiding or modifying them.

It is also helpful to understand which treatments are used to control short-term symptoms and which ones aim to reduce the long-term impact of the underlying disease.

If you have underlying heart failure, it is important to have regular medical checkups. Your physician will monitor your condition to see if your current treatments are working. If not, he or she will make changes as needed.

Always take prescribed medications as directed by your doctor, and tell him/her about any side effects.

You should also be aware of any new or worsening symptoms and report these straight away. Finally, follow your doctor’s advice about lifestyle changes, such as stop smoking and undertaking a healthy eating and exercise plan.