If your symptoms are well controlled and you make healthy lifestyle changes, you can usually have a normal life with angina.
Diet and lifestyle
Angina is a warning sign that you're at risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
To reduce the risk of problems like these:
- have a balanced diet
- cut down on alcohol
- stop smoking (if you smoke)
- lose weight (if you have excess weight)
Exercise and sport
It's also important to stay active if you have angina.
You might worry that exercising could trigger your symptoms or cause a heart attack, but the risk is low if you:
- build up your activity level gradually and take regular breaks
- keep your glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray or tablets with you
- use the spray or take a tablet before starting exercise, if needed
Talk to your GP if you're not sure it's safe for you to exercise.
Work
You can usually continue to work after an angina diagnosis.
Make sure you keep your GTN medicine with you in case you have an attack at work.
If your job involves heavy lifting or manual labour, talk to your employer about changes you can make to reduce the risk of an attack.
This may mean changing your duties or cutting back on how much heavy work you do.
If you have a very stressful or physically demanding job, you may need to change your job or change how you work. Talk to your doctor about your job and how it is likely to affect your angina.
Having sex
Some people worry that having sex will trigger an angina attack, but the risk of this happening is low.
If you're worried about having an attack during sex:
- keep your GTN medicine nearby so you can use it quickly if needed
- consider using your medicine just before having sex to reduce the risk of an attack
If you find that sex brings on angina pains, stop and rest.
Driving
You can usually keep driving if you have angina.
You only need to stop if your attacks happen at rest, while driving, or are triggered by emotion. You can start driving again when your symptoms are well controlled.
Ask your GP if it's safe for you to drive.
If you have a group 2 driving licence (buses and trucks) you:
- cannot drive for 4 weeks after an episode of angina
- must notify the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS)
NDLS leaflet on cardiac conditions and driving (PDF, 593 KB, 8 pages)
Going on holiday
Holidays can be stressful. It's important to plan your holiday well and to give yourself plenty of extra time.
Make sure to:
- get to the airport early
- use a suitcase with wheels or an airport trolley
- ask your airline or travel agent to arrange a wheelchair if you think the stress and activity of the airport could bring on an angina attack
- give yourself plenty of time to rest
- bring enough medicine for your holiday and carry it in your hand luggage
If you are not sure about travelling, ask your doctor for advice.
Getting support
Living with angina can be difficult at times.
Talk to your GP if you feel down for a few weeks. They may recommend treatments that can help, such as medicines or talking therapy.
You might also find it useful to contact a support organisation such as the Irish Heart Foundation.
HSE Chronic Disease Management Programme
If you have a medical card or GP visit card, you can register with your GP for the HSE Chronic Disease Management Treatment programme. With this programme, your GP will review your angina twice a year.
