Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris is chest pain or tightness that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It is not a heart attack but a warning that the heart is under strain, typically during physical exertion or emotional stress. The pain usually subsides with rest within a few minutes. Angina is particularly common in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia where rates of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking remain high.
Medicines used to treat Angina Pectoris
Inderal La
40mg
Indicated to manage cardiovascular stress and anxiety symptoms by antagonizing beta-adrenergic receptors.
Isoptin Sr
120 · 240mg
Formulated to mitigate cardiac workload and lower systemic blood pressure through ion channel inhibition.
What the pain actually feels like
The classic pattern is a squeezing or pressure in the centre of the chest, sometimes radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back. It tends to come on predictably, climbing stairs, hurrying in humid Bangkok or Hong Kong heat, or after a heavy meal, and eases once you stop and rest. Unstable angina behaves differently: pain arrives at rest or with minimal effort, lasts longer, and is a medical emergency requiring same-day evaluation.
How angina is managed
Most people with stable angina use a combination of lifestyle changes and medicines to reduce the heart’s workload and keep coronary arteries as open as possible.
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol and propranolol slow the heart rate and reduce the force of each beat, cutting the oxygen demand that triggers pain. Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, relax the muscular walls of coronary arteries and reduce resistance, improving blood flow. Short-acting nitrates give rapid relief during an attack, while long-acting nitrates and other agents in the heart and blood pressure category help prevent episodes from developing. Full details on each medicine, including dosing and safety notes, are on the individual product pages.
Reducing attack frequency day to day
Avoiding triggers matters as much as medication. Physical activity should be paced rather than avoided, regular moderate exercise strengthens the heart over time but sudden intense bursts can provoke an attack. Stopping smoking, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, and limiting saturated fat all reduce the underlying coronary narrowing that causes angina.
Seek emergency care immediately if chest pain lasts more than 15 minutes, is more severe than usual, occurs at rest, or is accompanied by sweating, nausea, or breathlessness. These could signal a heart attack rather than stable angina.