Heart Attack caused by vessel spasm

Hello @annapolis,

Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear about your heart attack, and I'm glad that you've joined us.
Here is some information from Mayo Clinic about coronary artery spasm: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/angina/expert-answers/coronary-artery-spasm/faq-20058316
Since these spasms are referred to as Prinzmetal's angina or variant angina, I'd like to introduce you to @lisab62 @huge @rsmith011 @the3shus @cherfenn @brenda88 @tiny7, who have all experienced this type of spasm or angina. You can also read their discussion here:

– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prinzmetal-anginavariant-angina/
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prinzmetalsvariant-angina/

@annapolis, we look forward to getting to know you – when did your heart attack occur? Does your treatment include medications such as statins or nitrates? Are there certain triggers that you have to avoid?

So sorry to hear. I've had 2 heart attacks and have Prinzmetal Angina. If you are on Facebook search Prinzmetal support. It's a closed group and you will learn a lot Unfortunately there aren't enough Drs with enough knowledge. Cardiology Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN has been wonderful ❣️

I am still very puzzled by my heart attack experiancein April, 2016. I had no pain, no shortness of breath therefore it couldn't be an heart attack. I fainted for over half an hour. when I woke up I still felt fine. My family member who is a doctor insisted that I should have some tests done in hospital. After listened to my description of the episode, the ER doctor didn't think that I had heart attack until later the test confirmed it is. Next day's test resoult indicated there is no blockage in the arteries, it was vessele spam. The test was performed at The John Hopkin Hosepital by the very reputable specialist there. There is no known triggers for me, and that is why I am puzzled. Thank you for your kind information listed above.

Thank you for your kind reply @lisab62. I was not told that I have same as what you had. Because these kind vessle spam only happened to such small populations, there is no reserch done for those who need treatment. I am sorry too to hear that you have had it happened twice. I am old but still swim 5 days a week to reasure myself that I'm living an active life. It was very nice to know person like you that care about others.

Areyoustill a member? I have the same experience

Could you describe exactly how it happened?

Hey @annapolis
You are not alone. My husband (39 years old) had chest pains one morning that weren’t going away. He knew something wasn’t right and drove himself to the hospital. He got to the ER and soon coded. Thank God he was at the hospital when this happened. Long story short, we found that he has congenital myocardial bridging. They think that his heart attack was caused by his spasms (for he didn’t have blockage, etc.). But could also be contributed to the bridging…We have sought additional testing and views from the Mayo Clinic. They have been amazing and so helpful but still there is no real answer why the spasm led to the heart attack. Medical management of the spasms and an ICD is his plan of care.
I hope this can give you at least some comfort that you’re not alone.