Angina is often controlled by drugs. The most commonly prescribed drug for angina is nitroglycerin, which relieves pain by widening blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow to the heart muscle and also decreases the work load of the heart. Nitroglycerin is taken when discomfort occurs or is expected. Doctors frequently prescribe other drugs, to be taken regularly, that reduce the heart's workload.
Beta blockers slow the heart rate and lessen the force of the heart muscle contraction.
Calcium channel blockers are also effective in reducing the frequency and severity of angina attacks. I medication fails to control angina, your doctor may recommend surgery or angioplasty if drugs fail to ease angina or if the risk of heart attack is high.