Angina

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Summary

Angina is a condition that causes chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
You can treat angina attacks with as-needed and preventive medication.
Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and improving diet, can also help.

Angina: essential info
Causes
What are my options?
FAQ

Reviewed on February 17, 2026. by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935)

Next review due on February 17, 2029

Last updated on March 19, 2026

Find the angina treatment that’s best for you.

We’ve got a range of options, and our clinicians can help you find the one that’s best for your body and your budget.

Isosorbide Dinitrate

Isosorbide dinitrate

In stock

Angina tablets to relax and open up blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart.

Starting at $85.95

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Nitroglycerin

In stock

Sublingual pill that relieves episodes of angina. Available in three different doses.

Starting at $82.95

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Metoprolol

In stock

Tablet that relaxes and widens your blood vessels to improve blood flow. Available in three doses.

Starting at $84.95

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Isosorbide mononitrate

In stock

Pill that helps widen blood vessels to reduce your heart's workload. Available in three doses.

Starting at $82.95

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Atenolol

In stock

Beta-blocker pill you take daily. Prevents angina attacks by slowing down your heart rate.

Starting at $99.95

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What is angina?

Angina is a condition that causes pain in your chest. The pain often starts on the left side but can spread to the shoulder, neck, and jaw. It often follows some kind of physical exertion, such as exercise. It can also be brought on by stress. The discomfort felt is due to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Once you’re able to rest and relax during an angina attack, the pain will usually subside quite quickly – within a few minutes.

Who gets angina?

As angina is caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart, it tends to be experienced by people who already have coronary heart disease, as they already have narrow blood vessels around their heart.

There are other risk factors as well, such as your age and genetics. For instance, if you have close relatives with coronary heart disease, or who have suffered from angina, you could be more likely to develop it too.¹

You can also be at more risk if you smoke, drink heavily or suffer from a lot of stress. Other health conditions, such as high cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity can also increase your risk of getting angina.

How common is angina?

It’s a relatively common condition in older adults, and becomes more common as you grow older. Around 10-12% of women and 12-14% of men aged 65-84 are thought to have angina.²

Treated trusted source:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2023). What is angina?
Montalescot G., et al. (2013). 2013 ESC guidelines on the management of stable coronary artery disease. European Heart Journal, 34(38), pp.2949–3003.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on February 17, 2026. Next review due on February 17, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What medications are there for angina?

There are a few different options for treating angina. Some of them, such as nitroglycerin, will treat attacks rapidly when you take them at the first signs of an attack. Nitroglycerin can come in the form of a spray, tablet, patch, injection, or ointment, and it’s used to prevent chest pain.

There are daily treatments that will help with long-term symptom relief too, such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, as well as treatments which aim to reduce the risk of long-term complications from angina, like antiplatelets, nitrates and statins.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for angina?

Your angina treatment will depend on both your symptoms and your personal needs, and these will vary from person to person.

You may find that treating your angina attacks with rest and Nitroglycerin will be sufficient, but you might need regular treatments with other medications, too.

Diet and lifestyle changes are often recommended, especially if you smoke, drink heavily or have a poor diet. Your doctor can discuss your treatment options with you and help to find the right medication for you.

Does angina always need treatment?

Angina will always need proper diagnosis and treatment as it can lead to serious long-term complications.

Alongside regular angina medication, it’s also important to look at what lifestyle changes you can make. Stopping smoking, reducing your alcohol consumption and following an eating plan which is lower in cholesterol will all help lower your blood pressure. Even simple changes such as reducing the amount of fat and salt you consume in your daily diet can make a huge difference.

How we source info.

Angina: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is angina diagnosed?

Answer:

If you think you’re experiencing the signs and symptoms of angina, such as tightness and heaviness in the chest and breathlessness associated with the attacks, then you should schedule an appointment with a doctor for a proper diagnosis. They’ll then usually refer you to a specialist for further tests.

Are there different types of angina?

Answer:

There are two different types of angina, known as stable and unstable angina.

Stable angina will always have a specific trigger. For instance, it’ll come on after exercise or other physical exertion, and will stop once you rest and relax.

Unstable angina is a bit more unpredictable, since it can come on at any time and can therefore be a bit more difficult to manage. It’s considered a medical emergency, as it can be very dangerous and lead to a heart attack if not managed properly. For this, you might need to take regular medication every day to prevent attacks from happening.

Another rare form of angina is Prinzmetal angina or vasospastic angina, and it happens when your muscles in the arteries of the heart tighten suddenly and block blood flow to the heart. It’s very painful and happens when you’re at rest, usually between midnight and early morning.

Are there tests for angina?

Answer:

Angina testing is usually carried out with an ECG (electrocardiogram) - a machine that takes electrical readings from your heart. It’s a painless procedure, and it doesn’t usually take too long.

When you talk to your doctor, they’ll ask you about your symptoms, medical history and if any close family members have a history of heart disease.

You’ll also have an examination and take a blood test, and you might also have a CT or another type of heart scan on your heart to rule out any other conditions.

Can you get side effects from angina treatment?

Answer:

All medications for angina will have some side effects, but it’s important to remember that the benefits from taking them outweigh the risks.

If you’re prescribed one form of medication and it doesn’t work for you, there’ll usually be another one you can try, as there are lots of helpful options to choose from.

Does angina treatment always work?

Answer:

Angina treatments are considered to be safe and effective. If at any time you feel your attacks are getting worse, or you feel more unwell, you should contact a doctor and tell them how you’re feeling. It might be that there’s another more suitable treatment for you.

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