How is angina treated?
Those with risk factors for CAD such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels should control them with lifestyle modifications (exercise, controlling body weight, and an appropriate diet) and medications (there are many). Even for those without these risk factors, everyone with angina or at risk for CAD should make lifestyle modifications to reduce and sometimes reverse the development of CAD. This includes quitting any smoking or drug use, eating a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat, exercising regularly, and maintaining a lean body weight. Many medications can help reduce the symptoms of angina. Medications used for stable angina include nitroglycerine (short- and long-acting), beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers, all of which help to balance the heart’s supply and demand for blood. ACE-inhibitors reduce the risk of heart attack in those with CAD. Aspirin is very helpful in reducing the chance of clot formation and heart attack, and it and se
