Help us improve quality of life for patients living with angina in your community!

• A crushing or squeezing discomfort in the chest
• Chest pressure
• An uncomfortable feeling in different parts of the body such as the jaw, teeth, shoulder, back and arms
• Indigestion
• Feeling unusually tired or short of breath

Feelings and concerns are a part of angina. These can be fear, frustration, depression, and emotional stress. Fear of heart attack is common. Get Tough on Angina teaches patients to not be afraid and to focus on managing their angina symptoms.

Patient Handbook

The GTOA handbook is the most comprehensive educational resource currently available to patients with angina. This book provides detailed information on what angina is, what causes it, how to cope with symptoms, how to prevent angina attacks, and more. This handbook is provided free of charge to patients, their significant others, and healthcare professionals. Healthcare providers should distribute this handbook to patients when conducting the small educational group sessions or community seminars or for patients who want more detailed information on angina.

Patient Brochure

The GTOA patient brochure provides quick information on angina, how to reduce attacks and how to cope with symptoms. Healthcare providers should distribute this brochure to their patients directly or place a supply in waiting rooms of offices, clinics, rehab centers and hospitals.

Click here to download a copy of the patient brochure in English now! (PDF)
Click here to download a copy of the patient brochure in Spanish now! (PDF)

Educational Resource Tool Kit

The comprehensive "how to" kit contains a patient handbook, educational handouts, homework assignments, CD-ROM PowerPoint slide presentations, a comprehensive training syllabus, script, and instructions on how to implement 2 different programs. The first program is a 4 part educational series for persons who have chronic stable angina. The second is a one hour community seminar about "Living with chronic stable angina." This kit is provided free of charge to healthcare professionals who want to offer an educational seminar in their community or who want to conduct the educational series for their patients.

Patient Education Series - Support Groups

This four-part education series has shown positive changes in patients' quality of life. It is an interactive education and support group program for patients and their families. Once a week for four weeks the support groups meet and review different topics such as: Medication and angina, Managing Your Coronary Risk factors, Relaxation, Smoking Cessation, Nutrition and Communicating with your heath care provider. A homework assignment is given each week such as asking patients to use a daily log to keep track of their angina.

Community Seminars on Angina

The seminars were designed to be conducted by health professionals in settings such as hospitals, clinics, and cardiac rehabilitation programs in local communities across the nation. Patients are invited to bring their significant others to learn more about angina. A community seminar is intended for teaching a large group the basics about what angina is, what the symptoms and risk factors are, and coping methods. A PowerPoint presentation is provided and an evaluation form given to attendees after the seminar is finished. Each attendee is given a free Handbook.

To order the Get Tough on Angina materials, please call toll free 1(866) 488-1212 or visit www.lifeheart.com.

International Orders: Please email your name, mailing address and quantity to info@pcna.net

If you would like Get Tough on Angina presented at your regional, national, international meeting please contact us at info@pcna.net

The History of Get Tough on Angina

In 2002, 10 PCNA members from across the United States hosted community seminars for over 300 patients living with angina. Also, 56 patients with angina participated in pilot education and support groups. This program tested how an educational support group could improve the quality of life for patients living with angina. The initial phase was scientifically evaluated and completed in early 2003.

We are pleased to report that these patient education support groups did, in fact, improve quality of life (QoL) for patients living with chronic stable angina, despite no change in angina frequency, stability, or physical limitations. QoL was measured using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) at baseline, program conclusion (four weeks later), and again eight weeks following the conclusion of the program.

Based on feedback from the nurse coordinators and participants, the program was revised, improved, and made available, FREE of charge, to health professionals caring for patients with angina.

In Fall of 2003, PCNA proudly offered three classroom training sessions in Akron, OH, Chicago, IL, and Miami, FL and conducted five webcast/teleconference training sessions to raise awareness and encourage healthcare professionals nationwide to Get Tough on Angina.

In 2004, PCNA once again conducted five webcast/teleconference training sessions for health care professionals and one for patients to raise awareness and encourage healthcare professionals nationwide to Get Tough on Angina. In 2004, Get Tough on Angina went international as the program was presented in Ireland and Australia as well as at several regional meetings.

In 2005 PCNA is hitting the road again to present the program all across America at many regional conferences. And once again, PCNA will be found out of the country with the Get Tough on Angina program as we travel to Brazil for the International Conference on Preventive Cardiology.

In 2006 PCNA presented the Get Tough on Angina program at several national and regional professional conferences including the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology meetings. In addition, PCNA presented the GTOA program and the importance of nursing internationally at two different preventive cardiology meetings held in Chile and Hong Kong. The handbook and brochure were updated with the latest scientific information and a new look. Free distribution of the kit, handbook and brochure continued.

In 2007 PCNA continued to distribute the Get Tough on Angina patient handbook and brochure free-of-charge in both English and Spanish. Healthcare professionals also continued to take the online CE course and order the free Resource Tool Kit in preparation for holding patient support groups and community seminars on managing angina. At the PCNA 13th Annual Symposium in Minneapolis, Dr. Steven L. Kopecky, MD, from the Mayo Clinic, kindly shared his expertise in a breakfast program entitled “Latest Advances in Managing Angina.” This widely popular session was converted into a free online CE course, which will be available in early 2008 on the PCNA website.

Click here to read the press release from the launch of the Get Tough on Angina program.