What’s the best way to avoid having angina attacks?

If you have angina, you’ll probably notice what triggers an attack.

Keep a diary so you can talk to your consultant about your triggers, and work out a way to avoid or manage them. You can’t always avoid them, and some triggers – such as activity – are actually good for your heart health and your angina in the end.

Triggers may include:

• cold temperatures

• eating large meals

• stress

• activity such as sex, hill walking or climbing stairs

For people with vasospastic angina, substances that affect blood vessels may be triggers, such as the herb ephedra, or ephedrine (the active ingredient from the herb), which may make your vessels spasm. It’s found in some decongestants, cold medicines, weight-loss supplements, and energy drinks.