Stable angina: management

When stable angina does not respond to treatment

If drug treatment and/or a procedure to improve blood flow to the heart have not improved your symptoms, your healthcare professional should review your diagnosis, considering how your symptoms are affecting your quality of life and other possible causes of your pain. They should look at the treatments you have received and future treatment options, taking into account their benefits, risks and limitations.

Your healthcare professional may also offer you treatments that use a psychological or behavioural approach. These will help you develop skills to cope with your condition, manage the pain and improve your symptoms.

You should not be offered transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) or acupuncture to help you manage stable angina pain.