• Stable angina pectoris is a common and disabling disorder
• With proper management, the symptoms can usually be controlled and the prognosis substantially improved
• As a minimum, each patient should have a carefully taken history and physical examination, an assessment of risk factors and a resting electrocardiogram
• Patients should be prescribed lipid lowering drugs if they have an abnormal lipid profile (LDL-cholesterol >100 mg/dl)
• If there are no other contraindications, a selective beta-blocker is the drug of choice for providing symptom relief. Other effective alternatives include nitrates, calcium channel blockers, potassium channel openers and cytoprotective drugs

Treatment mnemonic: The 10 most important treatment elements of stable angina management

A = Aspirin and anti-anginal therapy
B = Beta-blocker and blood pressure
C = Cigarette smoking and cholesterol
D = Diet and diabetes
E = Education and exercise