Prinzmetal's Angina Symptoms

Prinzmetal's angina is a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle that results in chest pain, pressure or tightness. Prinzmetal's angina is named after the researcher who first noted that coronary artery spasms were causing the pain. Among the different types of angina, Prinzmetal's angina is the most rare. Also called variant angina, it takes place due to a coronary artery spasm, which is an abnormal or involuntary constriction of the muscle in an artery of the heart. This spasm makes the artery contract, which reduces the amount of blood it can supply to the heart. Other characteristics of its symptoms are that they are more likely to occur while you are at rest, usually without a predictable pattern.

Symptoms
The pain of angina can be difficult to distinguish from other types of discomfort or chest pain, such as indigestion. Another factor is that women may experience symptoms of prinzmetal's angina different from the classic prinzmetal's angina. Some of the characteristics of the chest pain from Prinzmetal's angina are:

• Feels like constricting, squeezing, tightness, pressure, or crushing.
• May be located under the chest bone
• Is usually very severe and may feel like it is extending to the neck, jaw, shoulder or arm
• Is likely to occur between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 am, at the same time each day
• Often occurs at rest and lasts for between 5 to 30 minutes
• May be relieved by angina medication
• Can cause fainting or loss of consciousness

The episodes of chest pain usually occur in clusters, such as frequent episodes lasting for a few months. Women may experience chest pain that feels like a stabbing, pulsating or have a sharpness to it instead of the usual tightness. Women are likely to feel nausea, shortness of breath or abdominal pain along with any of the above mentioned symptoms.

Causes
The cause for the coronary spasms is not known. Contributing factors include problems with the thin lining of the blood vessels called the endothelium. The artery lining produces a chemical (nitric oxide) which expands the blood vessel making blood flow through them easier. If the artery lining is damaged or isn't working properly, the blood vessels may narrow and cause a coronary spasm. Another possible cause is problems in part of the nervous system or the muscle tissue involved in making the arteries narrow and widen. Yet another possibility is that if the lining of the arteries are injured, then the muscle may be exposed to chemicals that cause the blood vessels to narrow.

Treatment
Prinzmetal's angina is usually treated with medications. They may include nitroglycerin (NTG), long-acting nitrates and calcium channel blockers, which perform the function of widening or opening the blood vessels.

Prognosis
If one responds to treatment by medication, the prognosis is very good. According to one study, 97% of patients survived 5 years after being diagnosed with Prinzmetal's angina, and 83% survived without having a heart attack. However, those with more severe heart disease have worse outcomes than those with less severe or no heart disease.

As Prinzmetal's angina symptoms can have more grave outcomes, one must try to reduce their risk factors. Steps to be taken include to stop smoking, reduce chances of developing atherosclerosis and minimize exposure to cold and high stress situations since they can trigger spasms.