Prinzmetal's Angina - Causes and Signs of Prinzmetal's Angina

Types

Angina can be:

• exertional;
• stable;
• newly occurring;
• progressive;
• spontaneous (variant, rest, Prinzmetal).

Causes

Prinzmetal proved that the cause of clinical signs is a spasm of the coronary vessels, which occurs spontaneously at night or early in the morning. The development of angina is associated with local dysfunction of the endothelium and its increased sensitivity to vasoconstrictor substances. Spasm can be detected during coronary angiography.

Symptoms

Men suffer from variant angina more often than women. The main symptoms are associated with the onset of a pain attack, which is characterized by pain behind the breastbone, which can radiate to the left arm, shoulder, lower jaw, and epigastric region. Pain syndrome occurs most often at night or in the morning (00:00-7:00). Pain behind the breastbone can last for months, after which it suddenly disappears for several weeks and does not bother the patient. The pain is squeezing or compressive in nature ("angina pectoris"). Characteristic of Prinzmetal's angina is the occurrence of the main symptoms at rest, not associated with physical activity, food intake, and other provoking factors. The pain lasts from 2 to 25 minutes, quickly eliminated after taking nitroglycerin. With pain syndrome, syncope with loss of consciousness can often occur.

If you notice the above symptoms, immediately consult a cardiologist who will conduct a survey, a detailed examination, prescribe the necessary diagnostic methods and recommend the most appropriate, optimal treatment for variant angina.

Complications of variant angina are the same as with other types of the disease: myocardial infarction, pain shock, pulmonary embolism.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics is based on the data of a general examination of the patient, interpretation of his complaints, analysis of the data obtained after all diagnostic measures. Conducts research by a physician of functional diagnostics.

The main diagnostic methods that are standard for any type of coronary heart disease:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest.
• Conducting a stress test in a special room at a clinic, clinic (bicycle ergometry, treadmill test).
• Echocardiography (EchoCG).
• Coronary arteriography to detect spasm.

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is carried out in several stages:

• Spasm and pain syndrome are eliminated with the help of nitrate-containing drugs, for example, sublingual nitroglycerin tablets, one tablet every five minutes, until they disappear pain.
• Vasodilators that will help relieve spasm of the coronary arteries and improve blood flow. For example, selective beta-blockers, antispasmodics, calcium channel blockers.
• To prevent blood cells from sticking together, the following groups of drugs are prescribed: antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants (small doses of acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, heparin).
• Fortified nutrition.
• Exclusion of animal fats from the diet.

To prevent the progression of the disease, as well as to avoid the development of complications, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed treatment plan.

Prevention

Prevention to prevent the development of the disease consists of the following:

• Low-calorie diet with the exclusion of foods rich in animal fats: sour cream, butter, cheese, cream, fatty and fried foods meat.
• Do not abuse alcoholic beverages, alcohol substitutes.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited.
• Healthy and sound sleep, at least 8 hours a day.
• Work and rest schedule.
• Regular physical activity, morning exercises, evening walks at a slow pace, physical education.
• Avoid psycho-emotional overload.