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You are in: Home > Heart Information > Living With Heart Conditions > Angina > When To Seek Medical Help

When To Seek Medical Help

If you are having chest pain for the first time, or if you are having any additional symptoms which might indicate a heart attack, then you must seek urgent medical advice.

Seeking medical help for angina

Learning to control your angina is important and many people with angina lead busy and active lives.

However there may be times when it is important to get help quickly. This may mean:

• Calling 999
• Arranging to see your GP as soon as is possible
• Calling your doctor or NHS 24 (0845 4 24 24 24)

It is important you learn to recognise what is 'normal' for you and when you need help.

Remember medical staff are there to help you. Do not be afraid to get help if you think you need it.

When to call 999

If your chest pain is more severe than usual and persists, in spite of treatment with GTN, it is possible you may be having a heart attack.

Follow the guidelines for what to do when you have angina / chest pain.

Don't wait longer than 15 minutes before calling 999.

Other signs to look out for include:

• Feeling sick
• Becoming sweating and clammy
• Looking very grey and pale

This may be an emergency situation where getting help quickly could be vital.

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You should arrange to see your doctor urgently if:

• The pain / breathlessness is getting worse and occurring more frequently
• The pain / breathlessness happens when you are not doing anything

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During an attack of angina you should call the doctor / NHS 24 if:

• You have been newly diagnosed with angina and pain occurs when you are walking less than 25 metres on the flat
• It occurs at rest (usually in bed)
• You are very breathless
• You feel faint
• The pain comes on while you are recovering from a recent heart attack

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What to ask the doctor:

It often helps to write down any questions that you have before seeing the doctor. If possible you may want someone else to be with you as this increases the chance of remembering what's been discussed.

If you have several problems, and you don't always know what is causing your pain, ask your doctor to clarify what you should do and in what order.

If you are taking a combination of different drugs ask your doctor what each one is for, so that you know why you need them and when to take them.

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