The first step in angina treatment is to eliminate risk factors that are likely to hasten the progression of heart disease. This means that people with angina should stop smoking, lose excess weight, eat a "heart-healthy" diet, and exercise regularly, if possible.

•  Angioplasty (blood vessel repair) or

•  Coronary artery bypass surgery (surgically made arterial pathways that bypass [go around] diseased arteries in the heart)

Individuals with angina must consider:

• Smoking cessation.
  
• Weight loss and proper nutrition.
  
• Regular exercise.
  
• Medication.
  
• Surgery.

Smoking cessation

If the person with angina is a smoker, the most important thing that he or she can do is to stop smoking. Smoking damages the heart in many ways. Tobacco smoke contains substances that speed up the heart, prevent oxygen from binding to the red blood cells, make the arteries tighten up, and hasten the development of atherosclerosis (gradual buildup and hardening of fatty deposits within the arterial walls).

Research indicates that heart attack survivors who stop smoking live longer and have fewer complications than those who continue to smoke. Therefore, it is never too late to stop smoking!

All types of cigarettes, bidis etc. (tobacco products) are dangerous. There is no good evidence that low-tar products are any safer than those with high tar.

Weight loss and proper nutrition

• reduce symptoms
  
• improve a person's overall sense of well-being
  
• decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes (which may lead to heart disease)