Coronary vasospasm

Coronary vasospasm is a temporary, sudden narrowing of one of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. This condition can decrease or completely block blood flow to part of the heart muscle, potentially leading to chest pain (angina), myocardial infarction (heart attack), or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Coronary vasospasm is also known as Prinzmetal's angina, variant angina, and vasospastic angina.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of coronary vasospasm is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a dysfunction in the endothelial cells that line the coronary arteries or an abnormality in the smooth muscle cells within the artery walls. Factors that may increase the risk of coronary vasospasm include:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (High blood pressure)
• Use of stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines
• Magnesium deficiency
• Stress

Symptoms

Symptoms of coronary vasospasm can include:

• Chest pain or discomfort, typically severe and occurring at rest, often at night or early in the morning
• Pain radiating to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Nausea

Diagnosis

Diagnosing coronary vasospasm often involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which can show changes in the heart's electrical activity during an episode
• Coronary angiography, which can visualize the coronary arteries and any blockages or spasms
• Echocardiography, to assess the heart's structure and function
• Blood tests, to rule out other causes of chest pain

Treatment

Treatment for coronary vasospasm focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing future episodes. Options may include:

• Calcium channel blockers and nitrates, to relax and widen the arteries
• Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and avoiding known triggers
• Medications to manage risk factors, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure

Prevention

Preventive measures for coronary vasospasm largely involve lifestyle modifications and managing risk factors. These include:

• Avoiding tobacco use
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Managing stress

See Also

• Angina
• Coronary artery disease
• Myocardial infarction
• Cardiac arrhythmia

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