Microvascular Angina

Microvascular Angina

This type of angina, or chest pain, may be a symptom of coronary microvascular disease (MVD). Coronary MVD is heart disease that affects the heart’s smallest coronary artery blood vessels.

Causes of microvascular angina: Spasms within the walls of these very small arterial blood vessels causes reduced blood flow to the heart muscle leading to a type of chest pain referred to as microvascular angina.

Symptoms of microvascular angina: Angina that occurs in coronary MVD may differ from the typical angina that occurs in heart disease in that the chest pain usually lasts longer than 10 minutes, and it can last longer than 30 minutes. If you have been diagnosed with MVD, follow the directions from your healthcare provider regarding how to treat your symptoms and when to seek emergency assistance.

The pain or discomfort:

• May be more severe and last longer than other types of angina pain
• May occur with shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue, and lack of energy
• Often is first noticed during routine daily activities and times of mental stress