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Treating Angina
Treating AnginaWhen you have angina, you have several treatment options.The first is through medications.Depending on your condition, you may be prescribed one or several medications.Take them exactly as prescribed.One medication you may have been prescribed is Nitroglycerin.This can help relax and open your coronary arteries increasing the amount of blood flowing to your heart.Talk to your healthcare provider about how and when to take Nitroglycerin.It can sometimes be taken before exertion to prevent angina at the beginning of an attack.Sit or lie down before taking your Nitroglycerin.If the first tablet does not relieve your angina symptoms after 3- 5 minutes, you may take another; up to 3tablets in 10 minutes.If your pain persists after 3 tablets or 10 minutes, call 911. If you notice you feel lightheaded or dizzy, stoptaking your nitroglycerin.“I take nitro as needed. If I feel a little bit of discomfort in my chest or tightening or whatever, just to beextra sure nothing's happening, I'll put one under my tongue. And it just opens up the arteries and youfeel a lot better.”Some medications, such as nitroglycerin, may cause side effects.If you experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, swelling in the legs, constipation, or other significantsymptoms, such as low blood pressure, let your doctor know.However, do not stop taking your medications unless your doctor advises you to.Talk to your doctor before taking any new prescription or over-the- counter medications since they may affectyour angina medications.You may find it helpful to develop a system to keep track of your medications. Try pill boxes labeled with thetimes and days of the week. Or set up a calendar to help you avoid missing a dose.“It was a little daunting for me when I first started the regime, to remember to take my pills. And toremember to lay them out properly. But what I did was I organized them. I put them into a containerwhere I could organize them and then, follow the regime.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10218B EN TreatingAngina.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Treating AnginaMedications are important tools in helping relieve and control angina episodes. But there are other steps youmay be able to take to avoid them as well.If angina episodes cannot be controlled, or the risk of a heart attack is high, your healthcare provider mayrecommend other treatments.One treatment is called angioplasty and stenting. It involves inserting a tiny balloon into the blocked artery andinflating it. The balloon presses the plaque against the artery walls, widening the artery so that blood flowseasily again. The balloon is then removed.This procedure is often followed by the insertion of a metal mesh called a stent.The stent will be left in place, providing structural support and reducing the risk that this part of the artery willnarrow again.Coronary artery bypass surgery is another treatment that may be recommended. Here, a vessel taken fromthe leg, arm, or chest, is grafted onto a part of the coronary artery beyond the narrowed, or blocked portion ofthe artery. This new pathway bypasses the blockage, increasing the blood flow to the heart.Angina is painful and can be scary. But there are several treatment options. Talk to your doctor about whichtreatment options are best for you.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10218B EN TreatingAngina.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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