Angina is pain or pressure in the chest that happens when your heart muscle is not getting enough blood and oxygen. You sometimes feel it in your neck or jaw. Sometimes you may notice only that your breath is short.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse to help you take care of your angina.
What are the signs and symptoms that I am having angina? Will I always have the same symptoms?
How much exercise or activity can I do?
When can I return to work? Are there limits to what I can do at work?
What should I do if I feel sad or very worried about my heart disease?
How can I change the way I live to make my heart stronger?
Is it okay to be sexually active? Is it safe to use sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), or tadalafil (Cialis) if I’m a man?
What medicines am I taking to treat or prevent angina?
If I am taking aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix), is it okay to take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or other medicines for pain due to arthritis, headache, or other problems?
It is okay to take omeprazole (Prilosec) or other medicines for heartburn?
What to ask your doctor about angina and heart disease; Coronary artery disease - what to ask your doctor
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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