What should you know about Prinzmetal angina?

Prinzmetal angina, also called vasospastic angina, occurs when a coronary artery briefly narrows because its muscle tightens. Episodes often occur at rest, including during the night or early morning, rather than only during exercise. Chest pressure or tightness may spread to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder, and sweating or shortness of breath can accompany it.

The spasm can reduce oxygen reaching heart muscle and may produce temporary ECG changes. An ECG taken between episodes can be normal, so the timing and pattern of pain matter when a clinician assesses you. High blood pressure, smoking, cold exposure, and some medicines or recreational drugs may be relevant factors.

Arrange a medical assessment for recurring chest discomfort, especially pain that happens at rest or follows a predictable time pattern. Your clinician may use an ECG and other tests to distinguish coronary spasm from a heart attack or another cause.

Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and discuss side effects before stopping it. Treatment commonly aims to relax coronary arteries and reduce spasm; controlling blood pressure and avoiding smoking or known triggers may also help. Keep a record of the episode time, duration, activity, symptoms, and medicines taken.

Call emergency services for new, severe, prolonged, or worsening chest pain, or for pain with breathlessness, fainting, sweating, nausea, weakness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Do not drive yourself. Even someone with diagnosed Prinzmetal angina needs urgent assessment when an episode feels different or does not settle according to the agreed plan.

Ask whether your pattern fits coronary spasm, which tests are suitable, what to do during an episode, and whether any current medicine could trigger narrowing. Clarify how your blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking history affect your plan.