Angina – causes, risk factors and treatment | T&F

Angina threshold i.e. the amount of exercise needed to trigger an angina attack never varies.

Hot weather can precipitate an angina attack.

Unstable angina occurs unpredictably, even at rest.

Obesity is a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease.

Patients with angina should be advised not to undertake any exercise.

ACE-inhibitors are of no benefit in patients with angina.

Regular drug therapy is indicated if a patient uses GTN spray more than twice daily.

Any calcium channel blocker (CCB) can be used to treat angina.

Ivabradine can be used with beta-blockers.

Nicorandil can be put into weekly dosage systems to ensure the patient remembers to take it.