Coronary spasms

I have been positively diagnosed with  Prinzmetal Angina approimately 5 years back.  Since then I have been prescribed different medications on a trial and error basis to find the best combination for my case.  Generally the spasmshave been controlled somewhat but have not disappeared completely.   I have never had any heart problems, other than once the spasm was so strong that evidently stopped completely the flow of blood to the heart and ended up with a mild heart attack.  Currently I am taking Diltiazem 420 mg daily and Isosorbide 90 mg. daily.  Because the risk of spasms is greater during the early hour of the morning when waking up, I split the 90 mg. of isosorbide taking 30 mg in the afternoon and then 60 mg before going to bed. For the most part this seems to control the spasms but not eliminate them at all I still continue to experience the typical pressure in my chest every so often during the day (at least I do not wake up in the middle of the night with the pressure).  Everything I hear and read leads me to believe that the medical community still does not know what causes these spasms.  I consulted with Dr. Pepin, presumably the leading authority in coronary spasms at the Shands Hospital of the University of Florida and he told me what I just said,  Doctors from the Cleveland Clinic basically say the same.  Are there any new developments in dealing with or curing the Prinzmetal (varfiant) angina?  My cardiologist tells me that the prognosis is very good but after 5 years I wonder if I will ever be able to go back to my normal life. What can anyone tell me about the advances, if any, in this area?
Thank you
Mario38  


This discussion is related to Diffuse Coronary Spasm.

[diva2008]

Hi Well I don't know much about Angina but I can relate to you with how to deal with it. I have been Diagnosed with it about a month ago and I'm taking Isosorbide 60mg Every morning and I also take Nitroquick 0.4 Mg As Needed. I'm still having chest pressure but it goes from my left arm back neck and sometimes my jaw but with the Nitroquick it do help it. I'm still trying to deal with it all and trying not to have a heart attack

[Mario38]

I also take Nitroquick 0.4mg as needed.  Fortunately I haven't had the need to take amy of those, but when the pressure develops I wait a little and if it does not go away, I take the nitro which so far has worked.  The Tiazac (Diltiazem), whic I takew in the morning  also helps. From what I kno there is no known cure but it seems the treatment allows a somewhat annoying but reasonable life.  Unfotunately or perhaps fortunately, because not many people die from this condition, research ot it is somewhat limited. Thank you for your note.
Regards,
Mario

[diva2008]

I know the limited info on it. I have Coronary Mircovascular Heart Disease which is the only thing to do for this is meds because it involves the Small Blood Vessel. Thats why I have Angina which I think is changing to a different form of Angina. Well Good Luck to you and my Best Regards.

[newzor]

I think that in many cases,
Prinzmetal angina might be caused by having too much toxic substances in the body,
and not enough essential vitamins and minerals.

For example: some people can eat many carbs, gluten, meat, sugar, alcohol, pharmaceutical drugs... and never have any negative reaction.

While other people may have allergic reactions to the many compounds that enter our bodies, allergic reactions that can manifest in a very wide range of symptoms... and probably even prinzmetal in some people.

So to fix the cause of prinzmetal:
i think one needs less toxins (like the one that is in all grain products ;) ),
one needs more exercise (or less, because too much of anything can be bad)
and more healthy vitamins (maybe magnesium and potassium) and the often overlooked vitamin D.

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/
this blog by a cardiologist talks a lot about how to heal the causes of heartdisease and not just treat the symptoms.
i haven't read anything there about prinzmetal though.



Stay positive people! :)

[ed34]

Just as a matter of interest, if they discover where the spasm is occurring, can it not be stented to hold the artery patent?

[newzor]

Do the spasms always occur at the same place in the artery?

[ed34]

From what I have read, it seems to vary in different people. Some may have a small area of the LAD go into spasm for example, while others it can be nearly the whole vessel. Of course, other vessels or portions can be involved. The big problem is 'witnessing' the event. Do you keep a patient on a table watching an angiogram all day waiting for it to happen? However, many spasms have been seen during an Angiogram.