Spasms in artery

[diamond_k40]

I was just told by a cardiologist that I was having spasms in my artery. This was after my second cardiac cath done in two weeks. Was told to go home take meds prescribed. I looked some info on line about coronary spasms and came up with Prinzmetal's angina. Not a very positive prognosis. I am extremely tired. Trying one day at a time to get my strength back. And very anxious or afraid to have another attack. Each time I hve an attack, I have problems with vomiting and diarrhea.. I am having trouble keeping anything on my stomach and am always nauseated. What I would really like to know is if this is what my quality of life is going to be like?:
Will I be able to work. Or the fear and pain of this disease keep me from enjoying life with my family ever again?

[alexj45]

I am 45 and I had a baby in June. I had chest pain a month later and was hospitalized. I had two heart catherizations by two doctors that found no damage or blockages. A month later I went to bed and developed crushing chest pain so bad had to call 911. This time the test showed a mild heart attack with damage, but still no blockages. Diagnosis was heart spasms caused by the stress of the pregnacy, on my heart at my age. So now I'm on meds to strengthen my heart muscle, and I carry nitro with me where ever I go. I've had to use it once and it relieved the spasm. Good luck

[kenkeith]

A spasm can be polymorphic or focal and that changes the dynamics and whether or not the spasm can be successfully identified and treated.

[joanincarolina]

No, the cath/angio cannot pick up microvascular vessels but in my case and during provocative testing by injecting the microvessel area below my LAD, my symptoms were reproduced. The 'rescue' drug did not work on re-opening my microvessels and therefore caused the LAD to also go into profuse spasm leading to v-fib and arrest. Read my journal 'joanincarolina'.

[ed34]

I've learned something new here. I didn't think an angiogram was sensitive enough to pick up microvascular vessels.

[joanincarolina]

You don't state your age but coronary artery spasms, depending on their cause, are important to pay atention to, especially if you are female and around menopause. It is important to know if during your caths, a spasm was noted or did the heart doc just see  normal coronary arteries and assume that you have spasm. I have spasms frequently and have had them for a few years. My was caught during one of three caths and the spasms originated from the microvascular vessels of the heart. My coronary arteries are clear. I first was on a beta blocker then switched to a calcium channel blocker. My first line of protection used to be nitro sl, and now it is nitro patch 24/7 to keep this microvascular dysfunction in check. read my journal here at 'joanincarolina'.Call it what you may, Prinzmetal's, variant or atypical angina but you need to know how to handle these and identify any triggers associated with them..stress, cold, or sometimes simple exertion.

[ed34]

I think I have asked this before but if a cardiologist knows where the spasm is occurring, can it not be stented to hold the artery fully open?

[diamond_k40]

Thanks for the info and reassurance. The fear of having the chest pain at any given moment is a little unsettling. But It is good to know that you are living and doing well with this disease. I can only wait and see . God Bless

[forrestmmiller]

I have had Prinzmetal for years. It is an annoyance but it can be lived with. I carry nitro for the attacks and take diltiazem time release at night. Over time the attacks became less frequent. Often Prinzmetal does not have underlying heart problems but it can originate from the site of inflamation. It is rare for a Prinzmetal attack to progress to a heart attack. I made sure my local clinic and ER (we are in a rural area) were familiar with the disease so that if an attack lasted long enough for me to head to the Doc or ER they knew what it was. Talk to your cardiologist about how to handle an attack and when to call 911. Once I got over the fear and learned how to treat the disease, it has not affected my quality of life. Mine is from a damaged artery which is higher risk that the spasms that are not tied to artery disease. Good luck but don't let this crush you, it can be managed.