Angina happens when there is not enough blood flow to the heart muscle. This is often a result of narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. Angina symptoms include chest pain or pressure. But you might feel other symptoms like pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or one or both shoulders or arms.
Stable angina means that you can usually predict when your symptoms will happen. You probably know what things cause your angina. For example, you know how much activity usually causes your angina. You also know how to relieve your symptoms. Your symptoms may go away when you rest or take nitroglycerin.
Your pattern of stable angina may continue without much change for years.
Tracking when and why your angina symptoms happen is one way to understand your angina better. It also helps you know what's normal for you.
If you know what's normal for you, it'll be easier to tell if you have a change in symptoms that means it's time to call for help.
Understanding your normal patterns may also help you make some changes that might prevent or reduce symptoms.
To track your symptoms, write down:
You and your doctor can use your symptoms tracking information to talk about whether you need any changes to your angina treatment. For example, you may decide to use medicine or to change your medicine. Or you may talk about other treatments you could try. Most people who have stable angina can control their symptoms by taking prescribed medicines, including nitroglycerin, when needed.
Staying active and knowing when to rest during activity are also important.
Here are some tips that might help you manage your angina.
Stable angina means that you can usually predict when your symptoms will happen. Symptoms happen when your heart is working harder and needs more oxygen than can be delivered through the narrowed arteries. You probably know what things cause your angina. You also know how to relieve your symptoms.
If your doctor tells you that you have stable angina, it means that you're likely to be able to predict when you'll have angina symptoms. Tracking when and why symptoms happen is a great way to understand your angina better. It's also a great way to know what's normal for you. If you know what's normal for you, it'll be easier to tell if you suddenly have symptoms that mean it's time to call for help.
Understanding your normal patterns may also help you make some changes that might reduce symptoms. For example:
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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