Microvascular angina | |
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Other names | cardiac syndrome X, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), microvascular coronary disease |
Specialty | Cardiology |
Microvascular angina (MVA), previously known as cardiac syndrome X,[1] also known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) or microvascular coronary disease is a type of angina (chest pain) with signs associated with decreased blood flow to heart tissue but with normal coronary arteries.[2][3]
The use of the term cardiac syndrome X (CSX) can lead to the lack of appreciation of how microvascular angina is a debilitating heart related pain condition with the increased risk of heart attack and other heart problems. Women may have difficulty accessing the specialist care of a cardiologist for this reason.[citation needed]
Some studies have found an increased risk of other vasospastic disorders in cardiac microvascular angina patients, such as migraine and Raynaud's phenomenon. Treatment typically involves beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, however beta blockers can make coronary spasms worse.[4]
Microvascular angina is a separate condition from variant angina.