Angina raises your risk of having a heart attack. But it’s treatable. Consider it a warning sign and make healthy choices.

Talk with others who have it. That may help you learn how to feel better. Your family, too, may need support to help them understand your angina. They'll want to know what they can do to help.

Angina is not a heart attack, but it is a signal that you are at greater risk of having a heart attack. The risk is higher if you have unstable angina. For this reason, it is important that you receive follow-up care, monitor your condition, and understand your condition, so you know when to get medical help. Your doctor may recommend heart-healthy lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to help manage angina.

You may need follow-up visits every 4 to 6 months for the first year after diagnosis of angina, and every 6 to 12 months as long as your condition is stable. Your care plan may be changed if your angina worsens or if stable angina becomes unstable. Unstable angina is a medical emergency.

Your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering statins as part of your long-term treatment, especially if you have had a heart attack.

Ask your doctor whether physical and sexual activity is safe for you. People who have unstable angina or angina that does not respond well to treatment should not engage in sexual activity until their heart condition and angina are stable and well managed.

Talk to your medical team about vaccinations to prevent the flu and pneumonia.

To monitor your condition, your doctor may recommend the following tests or procedures:

• Blood pressure checks to ensure that your blood pressure is in a healthy range. Keeping your blood pressure under control can help your angina.

• EKGs to detect changes in heart health after treatment or for monitoring the heart during exercise as part of cardiac rehabilitation.

• Repeat lipid panels to see if blood cholesterol levels are at healthy levels. A lipid panel should be done every year and also 2 to 3 months after any change in treatment.

• Stress testing to assess your risk for complications, either before or after starting angina medicines. Stress tests can also make sure your heart is strong enough for physical and sexual activity.