Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris is pressure, tightness or discomfort caused when heart muscle temporarily receives too little oxygen-rich blood.
Inderal LA
40mg
Inderal LA is propranolol 40mg in a modified-release capsule for hypertension, angina, migraine prophylaxis and essential tremor. Both beta-1 and beta-2.
Procoralan
5mg
Ivabradine 5mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of stable angina pectoris. It slows the heart by inhibiting the If current alone.
Isoptin SR
120 · 240mg
Isoptin SR is verapamil 120mg and 240mg in a modified-release tablet for hypertension, angina and arrhythmia, blocking calcium influx across the day.
Key points
- Stable angina is usually triggered predictably by exertion or stress and eases with rest or prescribed short-acting nitrate.
- New pain, episodes at rest, increasing frequency or reduced response to usual treatment may indicate acute coronary syndrome.
- Long-term care addresses both symptoms and the underlying risk of heart attack and stroke.
The listings below are not appropriate for undiagnosed chest pain; medicine selection depends on cardiovascular assessment and interactions.
Establishing the cause
Clinicians consider symptom pattern, ECG findings and cardiovascular risk, then may use exercise testing or coronary imaging. Reflux, chest-wall pain and lung disease can resemble angina, but potentially cardiac pain should be assessed before assuming a benign cause.
Treatment roles
Short-acting nitrate can relieve an episode when prescribed. Beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers or longer-acting nitrates may reduce attacks, while antiplatelet and cholesterol-lowering treatment can reduce vascular risk in appropriate patients. Nitrates can dangerously interact with erectile-dysfunction medicines.
When to seek urgent care
Call emergency services for new or severe chest pressure, pain at rest lasting more than a few minutes, fainting, marked breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back.