Coronary Artery Spasm

Overview

A coronary artery spasm is when the artery wall tightens, and blood flow through the artery is restricted—potentially leading to chest pain—or blood flow is cut off altogether, causing a heart attack. Coronary artery spasm comes and goes. Because there may not be a buildup of plaque or a blood clot in the artery, a coronary artery spasm may not be discovered by a coronary angiogram (an imaging test typically performed to check heart arteries for blockages).

Treatment for a coronary artery spasm includes medications such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers.