Angina is a pain in the chest or discomfort caused by an insufficient amount of blood getting into the heart muscle.

Most people experience a tightness or dull ache in their chest which can spread to their arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach.

When angina symptoms present, the patient may be referred for a procedure called an angiogram where, dye is injected into the coronary arteries and X-rays are taken from different angle, showing where the arteries are narrowed and how narrowed they have become.

Treatments include:

• Medication
• Stenting – a short, mesh tube of stainless steel is inserted to improve blood flow into the heart, thus reducing the amount of angina the patient gets.
• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

All these options are explained and discussed in full with the patient by the angina nurse.

Learn more about Angina

This short video explains the key information in a simple and easy-to-follow way. It is designed to help you better understand Angina.

 

Rapid Angina Assessment Clinic (RAAC)

This service provides urgent assessment for patients complaining of chest pains. Clinics are available in both Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals. Patients are referred by General Practitioners (GP) and Emergency Department doctors.

Information and support clinics

Clinics are held in Causeway Hospital with the Angina Nurse Specialist. At clinics, patients are given support and education on the disease, including advice on treatment and medication, risks, and how to prevent an angina attack.

Referrals can be made to the Angina Nurse Led Service by the cardiologist in charge of care or another consultant, from a GP practice, or from another Cardiac Specialist Nurse service such as Cardiac Rehabilitation Service /Heart Failure Team/or RACPC.

Cardiac Surgery Education sessions

Since December 2014, Cardiac Surgery Education Sessions have been offered to patients on the Cardiac Surgery waiting list. These are patients mainly waiting at home for up to 26 weeks for Coronary Artery By-pass surgery or heart valve surgery.

The surgery with pre-operative tests and post–operative care are explained with psychological support from the Northern Trust Psychology Service. Illnesses, such as Ischaemic Heart Disease, are also explained at the talk.

Although the Angina service is based at Causeway Hospital, all patients throughout the Northern Trust area can attend.

They take place every three to four months.

Useful resources

Angina Conditions NHS
Angina Conditions and Treatment