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What can I do to help with angina?

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Certain 'risk factors' increase the risk of more atheroma forming which can make angina worse. Briefly, risk factors that can be modified and may help to prevent angina from getting worse are:

Smoking. If you smoke, you should make every effort to stop.
High blood pressure. Make sure your blood pressure is checked at least once a year. If it is high it can be treated.
If you are overweight, losing some weight is advised.
A high cholesterol. This can be treated if it is high.
Inactivity. You should aim to do some moderate physical activity on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. For example, brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, gardening, etc. (Occasionally, angina is due to a heart valve problem where physical activity may not be so good. Ask your doctor to confirm that regular physical activity is OK for you.)
Diet. You should aim to eat a healthy diet. Briefly, a healthy diet means:

*At least five portions, and ideally 7-9 portions, of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day.
*The bulk of most meals should be starch-based foods (such as cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, pasta), plus fruit and vegetables.
*Not much fatty food such as fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. Use low fat, mono-, or poly-unsaturated spreads.
*Include 2-3 portions of fish per week. At least one of which should be 'oily' (such as herring, mackerel, sardines, kippers, pilchards, salmon, or fresh tuna).
*If you eat meat it is best to eat lean meat, or poultry such as chicken.
*If you do fry, choose a vegetable oil such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil.
*Try not to add salt to food, and limit foods which are salty.

Alcohol. Drinking a small or moderate amount of alcohol is probably beneficial to the heart. That is, 1-2 units per day - which is up to 14 units per week. Drinking more than 15 units per week probably gives no benefit, and drinking more than the recommended upper limits can be harmful. That is, men should drink no more than 21 units per week (and no more than four units in any one day). Women should drink no more than 14 units per week (and no more than three units in any one day). One unit is in about half a pint of normal strength beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits.