We have moved to a new site

We are now located 100 yards up the road next to Pleck Health Centre

14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Ok
pleck pharmacy logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Treatment

Treatment can help stop angina attacks and reduce the risk of further problems like heart attacks.

Most people with angina need to take several medicines. Surgery may be recommended if medicines do not help.

It's also important to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Read about living with angina for information about this

Medicines

Medicines to treat attacks

If you have stable angina (the most common type), you'll usually be given medicine to take when you have an angina attack.

This is usually glyceryl trinitrate, or GTN. It comes as a mouth spray or tablets that dissolve under your tongue.

If you have an angina attack:

  1. Stop what you're doing and rest.
  2. Use your GTN medicine.
  3. Take another dose after 5 minutes if the first one does not help.
  4. Call 999 for an ambulance if you still have symptoms 5 minutes after taking the second dose.

You can also use GTN to avoid an attack before doing something like exercise. You may have a headache, flushing or dizziness soon after using it.

GTN tablets usually expire about 8 weeks after the packet is opened, at which point you'll need to replace them. GTN spray lasts much longer, so may be more convenient.

Medicines to prevent attacks

To help avoid more attacks, you'll also need to take at least 1 other medicine every day for the rest of your life. Some people need to take 2 or more medicines.

The main medicines used to prevent angina attacks are:

  • beta blockers – to make the heart beat slower and with less force
  • calcium channel blockers – to relax the arteries, increasing blood supply to the heart muscle

If you cannot have either of these medicines, you may be given another medicine such as ivabradine, nicorandil or ranolazine.

Medicines to prevent hearts attacks and strokes

Angina is a warning sign that you're at a higher risk of serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.

You may also need to take extra medicines to reduce this risk.

These include:

  • a low dose of aspirin to prevent blood clots
  • statins to reduce your cholesterol (blood fats) level
  • ACE inhibitors to reduce your blood pressure
Surgery

Surgery may be recommended if medicines are not helping control your angina.

The 2 main types of surgery for angina are:

Both of these operations are similarly effective. The best one for you depends on your circumstances. If surgery is recommended, talk to your doctor or surgeon about your options.

You'll probably need to continue taking some medicines after surgery.

Unstable angina

If you have unstable angina (where symptoms develop unpredictably), you'll need medicines to prevent blood clots and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

You may be given:

Surgery (either CABG or PCI) may be recommended if you have a high risk of having another angina attack, or you're at a high risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Last Reviewed
11 September 2023
NHS websiteNHS website
pleck pharmacy logo
14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Company Registration: 07893857
Premises GPhC Number: 1038515
Superintendant: Bilal Shah (2061734)
Menu
Pharmacy First
All Pharmacy First Services
Earache
Impetigo
Insect Bite
Shingles
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Home
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Order Prescriptions
Health Advice
Useful Links
NHS Choices
Patient UK
Fit For Travel
Opening Hours
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
Pleck Pharmacy © 2024
Privacy Policy