Microvascular Angina

This type of angina, or chest pain, may be a symptom of coronary microvascular disease (MVD). Coronary MVD is heart disease that affects the heart’s smallest coronary artery blood vessels.

See an illustration of angina.

Causes

Tiny blood vessels in the heart can spasm, reducing blood flow and causing chest pain.

Symptoms

Angina that occurs in coronary MVD may differ from the typical angina from heart disease. The dull chest pain it causes usually lasts more than 15-20 minutes. If you have MVD, follow your health care professional’s directions about treating your symptoms and when to seek medical help.

The pain or discomfort:

May be more severe and last longer than other types of angina pain
May include shortness of breath
Often is first noticed during daily activities or mental stress
Other symptoms may include:
- Sweating
- Nausea and dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Having unusually low energy