What is vasospastic angina?

Vasospastic angina (also called Prinzmetal's angina or variant angina) is a type of angina that happens when a coronary artery suddenly spasms. The spasm reduces blood flow to the heart muscle and causes symptoms such as chest pain or pressure. A severe spasm can completely block blood flow and cause a heart attack.

Vasospastic angina (coronary artery spasms) often occurs where plaque has narrowed the coronary artery. Sometimes though, the arteries aren't narrowed. The spasms can be caused by smoking, cocaine use, cold weather, an electrolyte imbalance, and other things. But in many cases, it isn't known what triggers the spasm.

Vasospastic angina has a pattern. It usually occurs when you're resting. It often happens at night, in the early morning, or always at the same time of day. Symptoms are typically mild at first, then get worse, and then get less intense. An episode may last about 15 minutes. Nitroglycerin can relieve symptoms.