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Warning-sign checks

Angina: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for chest discomfort that is new, severe, occurs at rest, does not settle as expected, or comes with fainting, marked breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, shoulder, or back.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange a prompt medical review if angina becomes more frequent, lasts longer, feels different, or begins with less effort than before.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up helps assess symptom control, medicine effects, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes management, and progress with lifestyle changes.

    Tell the clinician if symptoms interfere with usual activities, if you are using fast-acting nitroglycerin more often, or if medicine causes dizziness, headaches, bleeding, or other concerns.

    Do not stop heart medicines without discussing it with the prescriber.

    These changes are not part of routine follow-up.

The article also says

Keep an up-to-date medicine list and know the action plan for chest symptoms.

It can be useful to record when symptoms occur, what you were doing, how long they lasted, and what relieved them.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Angina. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.