Angina, unstable - What will happen?
In this section
If you've had an attack of unstable angina, you may feel anxious about your future and worry that you could have a heart attack or die. But most people recover well.
You will still need to take medicines, probably for the rest of your life. These medicines can relieve your chest pain and lower your risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other serious problems.[2] [3]
The bad news is that having angina probably means that you have coronary artery disease. With this disease, the arteries that carry blood to your heart are narrowed, so less blood can get through. If an artery gets badly blocked, you can have a heart attack. Having angina means you are more likely to die early from a heart attack.[4]
What are my chances?
Doctors keep statistics on people who have problems like unstable angina. So we know things like how many people die soon after an attack of unstable angina, how many people have a heart attack, and how many continue to have problems with their health.
You might be interested in reading these numbers, or you might prefer not to look at them. If you do read them, bear in mind they can't predict your future. They come from the experiences of large groups of people. They don't refer to you as an individual. For more, see Unstable angina: facts and figures.
Doctors are always learning more about unstable angina, and treatments keep getting better. These days, doctors in the Accident and Emergency Department can quickly determine which people are at highest risk of getting worse. They can then give these people the intensive treatment they need. For more, see Unstable angina: working out your risk.
Making some changes in the way you live, such as stopping smoking and eating sensibly, may also help you live longer and stay in good health. For more, see Unstable angina: what you can do to help yourself.
How will unstable angina affect my life?
You may worry about doing your usual activities or enjoying life as normal. The good news is that, with the right treatment, many people with unstable angina can carry on with the things they enjoy.
Work
Having angina may affect certain kinds of work. For example, you may no longer be able to do a job that involves running heavy machinery or driving certain kinds of vehicles. Contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for more information (http://www.dvla.gov.uk).
Driving
You should still be able to drive, as long as your angina is under control. You don't need to tell the DVLA about your angina. But you do need to tell your motor insurance company.
Sex
You may worry that having sex will bring on your angina. But most people can still enjoy sex.
If you're taking medicines called nitrates or a drug called nicorandil, you shouldn't take certain drugs for erection problems. Some of these drugs (with brand names) are listed below.
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Levitra)
Nitrates and nicorandil can lower your blood pressure, and these other drugs may lower it even more. That can be dangerous.
If you worry about having sex, talk to your doctor. You may feel embarrassed, but remember that sex is a normal part of life. Your doctor is used to dealing with sexual problems. He or she may be able to help you and your partner.
If your doctor has any doubts, he or she may suggest a stress test to see how much exercise is safe for you. For more, see Stress test.
Flying
If you have unstable angina or get frequent chest pains, then you probably should not fly. If you're not sure if flying is safe, talk to you doctor. Generally, if you can climb 12 stairs and walk 50 metres on flat ground without getting very breathless and without getting angina, you can probably fly as a passenger.[5]
Depression
Having angina can affect how much you get out of life. You may worry so much about your condition that you feel you have to take it easy and can't live life normally.
You might think of angina as a mini heart attack, which can make you feel like you have to stop doing things you enjoy. And this can give you more anxiety and even depression.
If you're worried or feeling down, talk to your doctor about a self-help angina plan. This plan is based on a workbook and a relaxation tape. If you have been recently diagnosed with angina, the plan can help you feel better and have less anxiety and depression. You work with a nurse who helps you change the way you live and advises you about medicines.[1]
References
- Lewin RJP, Furze G, Robinson J, et al. A randomised controlled trial of a self-management plan for patients with newly diagnosed angina. British Journal of General Practice. 2002; 52: 194-201.
- Grech ED, Ramsdale DR. Acute coronary syndrome: unstable angina and infarction non-ST segment elevation myocardial. BMJ. 2003; 326; 1259-1261.
- European Society of Cardiology. Management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. European Heart Journal. 2002; 23, 1809-1840.
- Rosengren A, Wilhelmsen L, Hagman M, et al. Natural history of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in a general population sample of middle-aged men: a 16-year follow-up of the Primary Prevention Study, Goteborg, Sweden. Journal of Internal Medicine. 1998; 244: 495-505.
- UK Department of Health. Prodigy guidance: angina. January 2007. Available at http://www.cks.library.nhs.uk/angina (accessed on 5 June 2007).
Glossary
- heart attack
- Doctors call a heart attack an acute myocardial infarction (or acute MI). This is the name for the damage that occurs to the heart muscle if it isn't getting enough blood and oxygen because a branch of the is blocked. During a heart attack, you may have pain or heaviness over your chest, and pain, numbness or tingling in your jaw and left arm.
- stroke
- You have a stroke when your blood supply to a part of your brain is cut off. This damages your brain and can cause symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of your body. You may also find it hard to speak if you've had a stroke.
- blood pressure
- Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood on the walls of the vessels that carry it. You can think of it like the water pressure in your home: the more pressure you have, the faster and more forcefully the water flows out of the shower. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (written as mm Hg). When your blood pressure is taken, the measurement is given as two numbers, for example 120/80 mm Hg. The first, higher, number is called the systolic pressure, and the second, lower, number is the diastolic pressure. The systolic number is the highest pressure that occurs while the heart is pushing blood into the arteries. The diastolic number is the lowest pressure that happens when the heart is relaxing and is not pushing the blood.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
