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Get help identifying, treating, and preventing this serious heart condition

	Unstable angina is the pain you feel in your chest when your heart is not getting enough oxygen. If you get an attack of unstable angina, it’s an emergency. Get treatment right away, and then turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org for advice on medication and lifestyle changes to reduce the number and severity of attacks you have.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out which medication rates best for treating unstable angina.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating unstable angina. Our clear and sound advice will help you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about unstable angina

• If you have an attack of unstable angina, you need to go to the hospital right away for treatment. This is to lower your risk of having a heart attack.
• Unstable angina can feel like an ache, a pain, a burning feeling or heavy pressure in your chest that usually lasts for about 20 minutes.
• You can also feel pain and discomfort in your back, arm, jaw or throat.
• Unstable angina usually happens when the arteries in the heart get narrow from a buildup of fat. Doctors call this coronary artery disease.
• Even if the pains go away, you should tell your doctor about any chest pains you’ve experienced.
• People with unstable angina must take medicines, some for life, to lower the risk of having more attacks of unstable angina.

Once your condition is stable, your doctor will talk with you about things you can do to improve your health and stop your angina and heart disease from getting worse. To prevent another attack your doctor will suggest that you stop smoking, eat healthy, lose weight, limit the stress in your life, exercise, and reduce how much alcohol you consume. You will also need to take medication and possibly go through a medical procedure to unblock your arteries.

Our in-depth condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which medications for treating and preventing unstable angina are best for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 150 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.