Prinzmetal's angina is a type of chest pain caused by spasms in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen, called the coronary arteries. Prinzmetal's angina, also called variant angina, may be confused with angina caused by coronary artery disease associated with plaque buildup in the coronary arteries that reduces blood flow. While the two diseases differ, around two-thirds of people with Prinzmetal's angina also have severe coronary artery disease in at least one blood vessel, the American Heart Association explains. Around four out of 100,000 people have the disease, and 70 to 90 percent are men, HeartHealthyWomen.org states.
Pain
The pain of Prinzmetal's angina is usually severe and almost always occurs at night, often at the same time, between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m., the American Heart Association states. Pain may last between five and 30 minutes. Spasms often follow a consistent pattern, usually occurs within 1 cm of an existing blockage in the artery, The Merck Manual adds.
Prinzmetal's angina rarely occurs with activity and occurs spontaneously. Pain, described as a crushing or pressure-type pain, may occur in the chest or back and may radiate to the shoulders or jaw or down the arm. Attacks often occur in clusters, occurring for several months and then disappearing for a time, explains HeartHealthyWomen.org.
Nitroglycerin tablets, which widen the blood vessels, placed below the tongue usually relieve pain, explains The Merck Manual. Nitroglycerin is not a preventive for further attacks, HeartHealthyWomen warns. Calcium channel blockers, which also widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to the heart, may also prevent symptoms from occurring. Lifestyle changes, especially quitting smoking, which increases the chance of blood vessel spasms, helps prevent attacks.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Prinzmetal's angina can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as indigestion and heartburn, along with nausea, The Merck Manual reports.
Loss of Consciousness
A person suffering from Prinzmetal's angina may faint or lose consciousness when spasms occur, HeartHealthyWomen.org warns.
Heart Arrhythmias
An abnormal or irregular heartbeat called a cardiac arrhythmia may occur in people with Prinzmetal's angina, according to HeartHealthyWomen.
Sudden Death
In around 2 percent of cases, Prinzmetal's angina may lead to sudden death, HeartHealthyWomen reports. Sudden death occurs most often in people who experience spasms in multiple arteries and who have experienced an arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, during a previous angina attack, adds HeartHealthyWomen.
