Angina Attack: Essential Care Steps to Take Immediately

When experiencing an angina attack, the first and most important step is to stop any physical activity immediately. The person should sit down and rest, and if possible, lie down in a comfortable position. This helps reduce the heart's demand for oxygen and may alleviate symptoms more quickly.

Administer Nitroglycerin Promptly

Next, the patient should take nitroglycerin either orally or sublingually (under the tongue). The sublingual form typically works faster and is often preferred during an acute episode. It's important to monitor how the symptoms respond after administration. If there is no improvement within five minutes, a second dose can be taken, following the prescribed dosage guidelines. If symptoms persist after the second dose, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial.

Emergency Medical Attention When Necessary

If the angina attack occurs during nighttime or on weekends when regular clinics are closed, the patient should go to the emergency room without delay. Prompt treatment is essential to rule out more serious conditions such as a heart attack and to receive appropriate care as quickly as possible.

Monitoring and Evaluation After Hospital Admission

Once admitted to the hospital, continuous monitoring of vital signs is necessary, especially for patients with unstable angina or suspected acute coronary syndrome. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is often used to track heart rhythm and detect any signs of ischemia or damage.

Additional Monitoring Parameters

Healthcare providers may also monitor blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, respiratory rate, urine output, and daily fluid intake. Ensuring regular bowel movements is also important to avoid straining, which can increase cardiac workload. Maintaining overall bodily balance supports recovery and reduces the risk of complications.

Diagnostic and Preventive Measures

Regular follow-up ECGs and cardiac enzyme tests are recommended to detect any dynamic changes that may indicate worsening heart conditions. It's also important to implement secondary prevention strategies for angina or coronary artery disease, which may include lifestyle changes, medication management, and risk factor control.

Further Diagnostic and Interventional Options

To better understand the extent of coronary artery disease, diagnostic procedures such as coronary angiography may be performed. If significant blockages or severe narrowing of the arteries are detected, further interventional procedures like angioplasty or stenting may be considered to restore proper blood flow to the heart muscle.