Angina Emergency Management: What To Do When Symptoms Strike

For individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease, having nitroglycerin tablets on hand is strongly recommended by medical professionals. This medication is not intended for daily use but rather for sudden angina episodes. Recognizing the signs of angina is crucial, as prolonged or severe chest pain can lead to a heart attack. Quick action during such episodes can significantly reduce health risks and improve outcomes.

Immediate Steps During an Angina Episode

If angina symptoms occur, the first and most important step is to call for help immediately. Informing someone nearby ensures that assistance is available and can expedite emergency care. Since angina can escalate into a life-threatening situation, timely intervention is essential. If symptoms are severe, calling emergency services (such as 911 in the U.S.) should be a priority to ensure rapid transport to a hospital.

Stay Calm and Rest

After seeking help, it's important to remain calm and rest in a quiet environment. Ideally, the person should lie down to reduce the heart's workload. If possible, checking vital signs like blood pressure at home can provide useful information for emergency responders. However, even without measuring blood pressure, placing a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue is advised to help relieve symptoms.

Using Nitroglycerin Effectively

Nitroglycerin typically starts working within a few minutes. If the chest discomfort doesn't subside after 5–10 minutes, a second tablet may be taken. However, it's not recommended to take more than two tablets at home. Taking three or more doses before reaching the hospital may lead to complications such as low blood pressure or even shock. Therefore, it's vital to follow proper dosing guidelines and seek professional medical care promptly.

Why Time Is Critical

Delays in treatment can lead to more extensive heart damage, reduce the effectiveness of emergency procedures like angioplasty, and increase the risk of fatality. That's why recognizing symptoms early and acting quickly is so important. The two key steps in angina emergency response are: immediately calling for help and using nitroglycerin appropriately to manage symptoms until professional care is available.