Treatment of Angina

Specific treatment for angina will be determined by the physician based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history.
• Extent of the disease.
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies.
• Expectations for the course of the disease.
• Your opinion or preference.

The underlying coronary artery disease that causes angina should be treated by controlling existing risk factors: high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, and excess weight.

Medications may be prescribed for people with angina. The most common is nitroglycerin which helps to relieve pain by widening the blood vessels. This allows more blood flow to the heart muscle and decreases the workload of the heart.