Coronary Artery spasm

Two questions:
1.  Is coronary artery spasm the same as cardio spasm?

2.My mother in law just went through a work up for the following symptoms:
- Pain that feels like heartburn, varies as to length, sometimes both hands tingle, occasionally the hands turn blue, she reports feeling cold then hot.
- Location in the chest which radiates to the throat
- Frequency is every night for several weeks then it may not happen for a week or so.
- Precipitants are eating spicy foods, nothing else specifically
- Maalox sometimes helps or lifting arms above head
- chronic history of dyspepsia and heartburn with spicy/heavy meals - Various scopes were negative.
Her cardiac cath was inconclusive.  She was not able to complete her stress test because the above symptoms started and they took her to the ER. She was started on Norvasc, Toprol, Ativan NTG PRN and ASA.  

Does this sound like coronary artery spasm and if so, how can we get more information on treatment for this?
Thanks!
Jojo

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear jojo,

I haven't heard the term cardio spasm but would guess the person meant coronary artery spasm.  From what you describe it could be coronary artery spasm.  I don't know what your doctor meant by an inconclusive cath result.  If there were no significant blockages on cath and an ergotivine challenge revealed spasm then the diagnosis can be made for sure.  There are many postings on coronary artery spasm in the archives which you can read for additional info.  The treatment for coronary artery spasm is usually calcium channel blockers such as norvasc or cardizem.

[candy2000]

A related discussion, Coronary artery spasm was started.