Coronary spasm
Temporary constriction of an artery that supplies blood to the heart, slowing or stopping blood flow.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Coronary spasms can temporarily decrease or even completely stop blood flow to part of the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain (angina), and in severe cases, may lead to a heart attack. These spasms often occur in cycles.
Causes and Risk Factors[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of coronary spasms is unknown, but certain factors may increase the risk:
- Smoking: Tobacco use is a significant risk factor.
- Stress: Emotional stress and anxiety can contribute to spasms.
- Stimulants: Use of stimulants like cocaine.
- Medications: Certain medications can precipitate spasms.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of coronary spasms include:
- Chest Pain: A crushing or constricting pain, usually occurring at rest, especially at night or early morning.
- Radiating Pain: Pain may radiate to the neck, arms, or shoulders.
- Breathlessness: Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosing coronary spasms often involves:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Can detect changes in heart rhythm during a spasm.
- Coronary Angiography: Used to visualize the coronary arteries.
- Other Tests: Blood tests, stress tests, and imaging studies to assess heart function.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for coronary spasms may include:
- Nitrates: To relieve chest pain.
- Calcium Channel Blockers: To prevent spasms.
- Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking, managing stress, and avoiding triggers.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventive measures include lifestyle changes such as:
- Avoiding Smoking: Complete cessation of tobacco use.
- Managing Stress: Through relaxation techniques, exercise, or therapy.
- Avoiding Stimulant Use: Especially recreational drugs.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
With proper treatment and lifestyle modifications, the prognosis for individuals with coronary spasms is generally good.
| Coronary spasm Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
