Disabling Effects

People with mild restriction from angina are well most of the time as the attacks are intermittent and usually only occur with greater than ordinary exertion. Click on "Levels of Exertion". The attacks are quickly resolved by GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) spray or tablets.

Mobility

Walking would normally be unlimited, provided it is done at the speed expected for that person’s age, and level of fitness.

Guidance or supervision needs are unlikely to be present.

Care

A person with mild restriction from angina would not normally experience pain and/or breathlessness, with the exertion required for self-care activities, such as bathing, dressing, attending to his/her hygiene needs and preparing a main meal for him/her.

There would normally be no need for supervision, on a daily basis, either in or out doors.

Disabling Effects

People with moderate restriction from angina are susceptible to an attack if they “push themselves” beyond normal exertion levels.

Therefore, their angina attacks are intermittent, but occur at a level of moderate exertion. Click on "Levels of Exertion". Normally they would often be likely to use preventative GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) before anticipated exercise or stress, and avoid exertion such as inclines, walking briskly, hurrying up stairs, going out in cold weather, and large meals.

They may impose quite severe restrictions on their own activities, for fear of angina.

Mobility

He/she would normally be able to walk a distance of a few hundred metres, at a steady, or slightly reduced pace, using GTN spray preventatively, if necessary. He/she may have problems keeping up with another person of the same age.

Guidance or supervision needs are unlikely to be present.

Care

A person with moderate restriction from angina would not normally experience pain and breathlessness with self-care activities, although preventative GTN may sometimes be needed, e.g. to get up, bathe, dress, use the toilet unaided, and prepare and cook a simple meal.

He/she may need to take GTN spray before going upstairs, but would normally be able to go up one flight of stairs, without GTN, albeit at a reduced pace.

He/she would not normally need supervision, in or out of doors.

Disabling Effects

A person with severe restriction from angina would normally experience angina on minimal exertion, such as dressing and drying self after a bath or shower, and the angina may be associated with breathlessness. Click on "Levels of Exertion".

Mobility

A person with severe restriction from angina would normally only be able to walk between 50 to 100 metres, without stopping, at a normal pace, due to angina and/or breathlessness. Again, these people, for fear of angina, often impose quite severe restriction on all daily activities, on themselves. There will be a minority of people however, with severe IHD who Are able to walk less than 50m. A report should be obtained from a consultant or medical services advice sought in such cases.

Guidance or supervision needs are unlikely to be present.

Care

Most people with severe restriction from angina would normally be able to undertake self-care tasks, slowly but unaided. Prophylactic (preventative) GTN may be needed. They would normally be unable to climb one flight of stairs, without needing to stop and rest for a few minutes, and would normally take GTN spray either as a preventative measure, before doing so, or to relieve angina, afterwards.

There are a minority of people with very severe angina, who would need assistance with self-care tasks, and because they would normally have a severe restriction in physical activity, could not manage stairs. These people would normally be in hospital.