Patient information from BMJ

Stable angina: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Aug 06, 2021

If you've been told you have angina, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more. Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

Why do I get angina?
Will I have a heart attack?
Are there tests that can show my chances of having a heart attack?
Will I get better?
What's the best treatment for me?
Will I need to have treatment for the rest of my life?
What are the side effects of treatment? How can I cope with them?
Will I need surgery or another type of procedure?
Do I have to stop any activities, such as sport?
Can I still have sex?
Should I change what I eat? If so, how?
Is it safe for me to drive?

If you smoke, you might want to ask your doctor:

Where can I find help to stop?
What treatments are there to help me stop?
Is there a local support group I can join to help me stop?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

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