Lifestyle and home remedies

Because heart disease is often the cause of angina, you can reduce or prevent angina by working on reducing your heart disease risk factors. Making lifestyle changes is the most important step you can take.

• If you smoke, stop smoking. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
• If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about weight-loss options.
• Eat a healthy diet with limited amounts of saturated fat, lots of whole grains, and many fruits and vegetables.
• Talk to your doctor about starting a safe exercise plan.
• Because angina is often brought on by exertion, it's helpful to pace yourself and take rest breaks.
• Treat diseases or conditions that can increase your risk of angina, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
• Avoid large meals that make you feel overly full.
• Avoiding stress is easier said than done, but try to find ways to relax. Talk with your doctor about stress-reduction techniques.
• Limit alcohol consumption to two drinks or fewer a day for men, and one drink a day or less for women.