Prinzmetal's/Variant Angina

Posted by annie.stith @anniestith, Aug 7, 2011

Hey, All!

Anyone else here with Prinzmetal's Angina (aka Variant Angina, Coronary Artery Spasms, Vasospasms, etc.)?

I have searched the news articles, blogs, and discussions, but having no luck.

Annie

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@mxdpoet

Annie: There is a special angiogram to test for low coronary flow reserve and vasospasms. There is also an MRI now for determining Coronary Microvascular Disease. Getting the dx of Coronary Microvascular Disease is very important if you do not have the typical test results of a man with big vessel disease. Most cardiologists only know how to treat big vessel disease. Once you get dx with CMVD you can find a doctor who specializes in it and get better care.
In California, Bairy Noel is a specialist. I see Carl Pepine in Florida, another specialist. If you cannot find a specialist near you call one of these and ask for a referral. They are running the studies being conducted on women and heart disease and CMVD. They can offer the cutting edge medications and tests.

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I am looking for a Doc at Mayo in Rochester who specializes in Coronary Micro Vascular Disease/ Coronary Arterial Spasm/ Nonobsructive heart disease. Does anyone have any experience with any cardiologists at Mayo and/or dealing with these diagnoses?

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@lisab62

I have chronic Prinzmetal angina and would like to find others who have or know about it

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@tiny7. I use Dr Amir Lerman. You can contact the Mayo cardio dept, advise them your diagnose and ask them to recommend the best physician Gods blessings to you❤️

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@colleenyoung

A note I ma right now trying to get MRI on my lower back and I gained weight so the standard machine it to small for me even though my implant is MRI compatible it requires specific machines. SO they want to put me in head first and with arms by side and that did not work because machine is 23.6 inches and I am 25 inches wide. We are calling everywhere to find a machine that will work with the implant that has larger bore.Siemans has some just have to find a place that has one.

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I have had Printzmetal's angina for 14 years. A severe attack early led to heart cath, and diagnosis. After months of medication CCB's and nitro, it subsided. Since then, I have had only a few incidents lasting more than a day or two. ..usually 4-5 weeks. I am in a current cycle with constant pressure, now on week #10. I am taking nitrostat ER, and .4 mg as needed as it gets worse. I also take 5mg amlodipine (for years now). I am considering asking for more amlodipine, because this is miserable and just is not subsiding. Any thoughts?

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@lisab62

About 5 years. Tried combination of medications and still could not get it stable and then went to Mayo in Rochester. I'm not able to have heart bypass and last September had a spinal cord stimulator put in along with medications<br />
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I have had it for 15 years. Have gone a number of years with no symptoms, and then it crops up again. Increase in Calcium channel blockers, and isosorbide/nitro helps but am currently in a flare with no relief. It can be frightening. Back to new cardiologist soon. I have a a number of different docs, because of moves, and find different approaches, and different attention to Printzmetal's. I guess everyone is different. I hope you are doing well and treatment helps.

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@lisab62

I have chronic Prinzmetal angina and would like to find others who have or know about it

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I, too, have the same. Diagnosed 14 years ago. Many years without symptoms while taking low dose amlodipine. Steering now from month #5 with symptoms while trying varying dosages of amlodipine and none acting nitro.. neither are helping. So frustrating. Side effects from meds are as bad as chest pain. Next step is stress test but I know this is printzmetals. So discouraged. Hope your journey is better.

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