Angina, unstable - Questions to ask

If you've been told you have unstable angina, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask:

Why did I get unstable angina?
Did I have a heart attack?
Will I have a heart attack?
Are there tests that can show my chances of having a heart attack?
Will I get better?
What's the best treatment for me?
Will I need to have treatment for the rest of my life?
What are the side effects of treatment? How can I cope with them?
Will I need surgery or another type of procedure?
Do I have to stop any activities, such as sports?
Can I still have sex?
Should I change what I eat? If so, how?
Is it safe for me to drive?

If you smoke, you may want to ask your doctor:

Will it help if I stop smoking?
Where can I find help to stop?
What treatments are there to help me stop?
Is there a local support group I can join to help me stop?

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.

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.