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Overview of angina & heart attacks Testing, treating & managing angina & heart attacks Healing after a heart attack

Angina & Heart Attacks

Angina and heart attacks can have a negative impact on your heart health. It’s important to educate yourself on symptoms, tests and treatment options.

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Overview of angina & heart attacks

Angina

Angina is chest pain that comes and goes. It happens when some part of your heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. Angina can be a warning sign of disease in the arteries of the heart. This happens when arteries that carry blood to your heart become narrowed and blocked because of thickening or hardening of the arteries or a blood clot. 

If you have been told by your health care provider that you have angina, seek medical help if your symptoms happen more often, last longer or do not go away with rest or prescribed medication.

Heart attacks

A heart attack is when one or more of the heart blood vessels (arteries) are narrowed or blocked and the blood flow to the heart slows or stops. When the heart does not get enough blood, the heart muscle can be injured or damaged if not treated. You may experience any or all of the following symptoms: chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness), sweating, upper body discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back discomfort, light-headedness, nausea or shortness of breath. 

Call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing any of the signs of a heart attack.

Heart Attack Patient Information

Learn more from Heart and Stroke Foundation

Living Well with Heart Disease - Heart and Stroke Foundation

Testing, treating & managing angina & heart attacks

Tests

There are many tests that may be used to help diagnose and monitor angina and heart attacks. What tests you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common tests that you may have are listed below.

Treatments & procedures

There are many treatments and procedures that may be used to treat and manage heart conditions. What treatments or procedures you need will be determined in discussion with your health care provider and based on your specific health condition. Some common tests and procedures that you may have are listed below.

Clinics

There are many clinics that you might go to for assessment and monitoring of heart conditions. Discussion with your health care provider will help determine which clinics you may need based on your specific health condition.

Healing after a heart attack

Getting better after a heart attack can be a difficult time for you and your family. Your recovery depends a lot on what you do after you arrive home. Learning about your risk factors, taking charge of your heart health, and staying involved in your health care will help you continue to do the things that are important to you and your health.

Learn about:

  • Your diagnosis and the treatments you received in the hospital
  • Your new medications and how to take them
  • Your emotions, feelings and how to manage stress
  • Your diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes required for optimal recovery

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