Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. It is a symptom of an underlying heart problem rather than a disease itself, and it classically comes on with exertion and eases with rest.
Key points
- It can feel like pressure or squeezing in the chest and may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, abdomen or back.
- Some people have no pain at all but breathlessness or fatigue instead.
- Treatment both reduces the pain and lowers the risk of a heart attack, which is why it is treated rather than tolerated.
Medicines listed for Angina Pectoris
The two products listed for angina pectoris contain Isosorbide Mononitrate and Propranolol, both in tablet form. Isosorbide mononitrate belongs to the nitrate class, which works by widening blood vessels to improve blood flow to the heart. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that reduces the heart’s workload by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.