Everything you need to know about Coronary artery spasm 

I have found what you said to be true. It is so sad that a cardiologist on YT provides more information about one's heart health than their personal cardiologist. God bless you. Ohio, USA❤.

Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve been suffering over two years with an unknown illness and have been in the hospital ER several times with this type of chest discomfort waking me up in the middle of the night. So far the medical community has not served me well and have been written off as having panic attacks. I know down to my bones, this is NOT the case. I made an appt to see the cardiologist and I’ve saved your video describing exactly to the tee what is awakening me in the dead of night. With your terrific video, I am hopeful of getting the help I need! I so appreciate you❤!

Interesting comment about Prinzmetal's being linked to inflammation. I began having angina about six weeks after having COVID. It escalated very quickly to severe and unstable and I was given an angiogram, with the anticipated outcome of a stent placement, but when they did the angiogram my heart was, to quote the surgeon, 'clean as a whistle'. Because I have an inherited channelopathy I can't take beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, and the statins my cardiologist wanted to put me on are myotoxic to those with my disorder. I take a small dose of nitrate when my angina kicks up. It gives me a heck of a migraine, but the chest pain is no picnic either. I love your videos! Thank you!

I'm a GP and I love the way you explain things , with such dedication and precision; I can tell that you're the dream doctor of any patient :) Wish you great luck

Had to comeback and just say thank you for everything you do! I wholeheartedly believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that your videos have LITERALLY saved my life up to this point over the last 2 1/2 years I have been following you. I'm only 38 and having all kinds of issues with my bp and things going on with the electrical side of my heart that these doctors here cannot seem to figure out and fix (everything started when I was 36). Anyway... THANK YOU!!!

I’ve had two confirmed heart attacks brought on by Prinzmetals angina. Aged 39yrs and 45yrs. I was fobbed off for years by my cardiologist who insisted I couldn’t possibly be having angina as my pain came on at rest. It wasn’t until after my second heart attack that I was finally tested and diagnosis was confirmed. I’m on some heavy duty medication and still get the angina at rest but no new heart attacks for the last 10yrs. I wish all cardiologists were as knowledgeable as this cardiologist.

Came here at 3am when I had a heart spasm but stayed and followed because the doctor is so handsome ❤💗

Yes first time in years someone actually explains exactly my condition . Thanks bro.

I had my first spasm like this at noon without strenuous activity. 37 year old European male. Great video BTW.

Very nice explanation. Stress can cause coronary spasm also. Thank you!

I’m 41, was taking a shower. It was a very calm and happy normal day until I had a vaspospam that caused a heart attack.

It had been shown that kidney function is related to heart health- specifically the likelihood of developing Afib. So we need to really take care of our kidneys. We should eat foods that are good for the kidneys, also exercise everyday, and get enough sleep. Then we give the kidneys a chance to detox.

Dr Sanjay , you have very well explained. I am 70 years old. I had an angina about 10 years back, doctors said you need bye pass surgery. I denied. I then followed DR Bimal Chhajer and so far so good. Again few months back I had severe pain after dinner. But now have reduced about 8 pounds. In lunch I take fruits & dinner rice & dal. I have stopped direct sugar. So far good. But doing some exertion I get little pain. I learn lot from your videos. GOD bless you. You are doing good job.

I actually had a spasm on the table when the cath touched my left coronary artery it locked down on the tip and my chest starting hurting bad. The Dr told the assistant my st's were rising and they started giving me Fentanyl for pain. Dr got to sweating and said you scare me bud. And when the pain subsided he said I'm going to pull out now and shoot dye as I do to make sure you have no tears. They have got me on 1000 mg ranexa and deltiazim. I still have coronary vasospasm and chest pain. Just wish there was more They could do. Enjoyed your video and thank you for your time putting it out

I was in & out of hospital in Oslo not understanding what was happening to me until I saw your videos & was finally able to describe my unusual symptoms to my Norwegian doctors. I can finally get the proper treatment. Thank you for your videos

I have this i am 42 now. Was diagnosed at age 30. Also has POTS well. Diabetic also. Gerd as well. Sleep apnea. My was only diagnosed by angiogram. Beta blockers is a no no for me. It was diagnosed in England. I am always happy with your advice. Thank you Dr for a great help to gave to us all.

Very good info. Most I already knew but good to have it all together. Listening to you from B.C. Canada.

Hi Doctor Sanjay Gupta. I'm in the Philippines. I was 34yo when I started experiencing this condition. Whenever it happens, I'm in my sleep, I'd wake up, usually between 12 midnight to 2am, waking up to my chest and head in excruciating pain. The pain was like literally squeezing my heart, it was really painful especially when it's gonna pump out the blood from my heart, then I try to sit up, then my left arm would hurt a bit then later on it's gonna turn numb. With my searches, I read that normal heart tests would do no good so I always resist the urge to go to the ER. What I usually do is just drink lots of water, a bit of red wine and 1 whole apple. These episodes of chest pain would last from 3 to 6 hrs, leaving me sleepless and makes me groggy the next day. Yesterday, it was the same but the chest pain lasted the next whole day, slightly squeezing my chest, but I could go on with my usual tasks with no problem. Now, it still feels like its squeezing my chest, a bit of pain in my left arm, but I can still do my chores like usual. I'm gonna do fasting and change of diet since that's the only thing I can afford right now. But thank you doctor for this. Thank you so much!

I believe I get these spasms, the last one a few weeks ago lingered for longer than usual and frightened me so I've changed what I eat I'm including all of the heart healthy foods, garlic, spinach, avocado, olive oil, dark chocolate.

Great video! I'm going to call my doctor in the morning. I had a seizure a couple years ago and after reviewing the medical notes I came across this video and this might be why I lay in bed at night with the sensation of heaviness on my chest. Thank you!

12:16 and I'm here with the artery in my left arms having crazy spams. Thank you so much! Now I know what I'm looking for

SO GRATEFUL for this video, Dr. Gupta. Thank you for answering many questions that I've had about vasospasm! Your explanations in this video have helped me tremendously. God bless you, sir!

Thank you you have told me more than my cardiologist has ever told me

Thank you. Wonderful explanation! This was me. Waking up with chest pressure/jaw pain. I will up my magnesium and discuss why I am on beta blockers with my coronary rehab doctor.

Believe I just had this. Described it all the way. I crossed four boxes to getting it; smoking, drinking, stress, and physical stress. Did leave out one thing. I had an energy drink along with too much coffee earlier in the day. Drank, smoked, and had stress in the evening. Mine kicked off about 4:30 am and I believe woke me up. Thought I was dying. Good video.

I recently had this happen to me and hsf previously had all the tests ecg angiogram which showed no blockages so they were able to diagnose me and have changed my meds it took about 2-3 weeks to settle down and now feel much better zthank you for explaining so clearly and precisely the difference between the two types of angina it all makes sense now very helpful and I feel like i know what is going on now so helpful as I was so scared before many thanks fromDawn

I had the classic symptoms as you've described it. My cardiologist ordered a cardiac stress test and a nuclear cardiac stress test. However, both tests provided not enough evidence to diagnose my coronary problem. The test that was conclusive was the coronary angiogram that showed both coronary arteries to spasm and tortuosity of my arteries. My cardiologist prescribed amlodipine besylate 5mg to relax my arteries. So, yesterday, July 16, 2022, I took the first dose along Lisinopril for high blood pressure and I'm hoping that it works. It is a very scary and painful event that comes and goes unexpected without warning. It is a desperate feeling as nothing will stop it. Thank you for the video as your explanation is excellent and makes sense from beginning to end. I truly appreciate it. Greetings from El Paso, Texas.

That's what I get I had a heart attack 1 year ago had a stent fitted all my arteries are clear now I have had 2 angiogram 2 stress tests I keep getting the chest pain at rest I have had 12 hospital admissions why would 12 cardiologist not now about that kind of angina thank you for your video it has helped me a lot .

I had my first MI aged 39 and was told it was coronary spasm but was discharged on beta blockers and felt awful. I’m female and had my MI at 11 am sat at my desk. My chest pain at rest continues for the next five years and did not respond to the GTN I was given. I asked to see my cardiologist team again as I was convinced I was going to have another MI as my symptoms were just like before my first. I know it sounds very odd but one of the symptoms was having a very cold nose in fact my face felt cold as well as the fluttering in my neck and chest pain. My consultant just told me to see a psychologist. I then had my second MI that I had predicted. It was only then I was sent for a barrage of tests and was given the diagnosis of Prinzmetal variant angina. Only now I am on the correct medication ie Diltiazem 300mg in the mornings and 120mgs at night. Losartan , aspirin, statin and Ranexa. I now know to avoid local anaesthetic that contains adrenaline ( I collapsed in the dentist chair having a filling) Pseudoephedrine in Sudafed and avoid cold water swimming oh and don’t go up in cable cars in the mountains! Angina at the top of an Austrian mountain was not a fun day out. Your video was great to actually explain what and why I have my chest pain at rest . It’s a shame my cardiologist hadn’t watched it during those five years between my heart attacks.

Thank you 🙏 for your video! It’s so informative! I live in the USA 🇺🇸! I have symptoms just like you explained for Printzmetal Angina. I am seeing a cardiologist. One time when I went to the hospital by ambulance because of the chest pain they gave me a nitroglycerin sublingual tablet and it helped tremendously. I am hoping my doctor will give me a medication to help the symptoms I am having.

my episodes always happen in the middle of the night and if I'm exposed to severe cold temperatures but is gotten much better with the daily nitrates

Amen 🙏 angels 😇 I had a stroke June 1st 22 N have spasms every day since fasting helps water 💧 a sting small meals don’t have any fear of anything life is forever thankful for the information

Regards from South Africa 🇿🇦 Thank you for assisting to better understand my problem

Thankyou this is much more informative and reassuring than anything I could find on Google.

Thanks for addressing this. I have a couple questions, if anyone happens to know...is CAS on the increase in the community in recent years, or is the medical establishment only now catching up to diagnosing something that was common all along? And, has anyone heard of someone who was stuck with CAS as the consequence of past habits of extreme sympathetic/adrenergic activation?

I'm 62, retired former law enforcement, female, non-smoker since age 42 and was just diagnosed with vasospastic angina after 3 admissions to the hospital. Two of the episodes awakened me, and the third occurred at rest. Twice, blood work showed magnesium level was low enough to require IV replacement. At first, before the cardiologists finally properly diagnosed it, I was given simple nitro 0.04 mg to use, which only put a band aid on the problem. Now, taking diltiazem ER and isosorbide monitor ER first thing in the morning, and voila....problem pretty much solved. However, upon cardiac cath, there's a 40% blockage of left anterior descending coronary artery. Plus, I've had one silent MI 2 yrs ago at age 60 and 2 TIAs that same year. This is nothing to play with and must be treated for life. Very scary and pain is like getting hit with a cattle prod in the chest.

I recently had a quadruple bypass and was put on the Nitro patch to prevent spasms. I am also on beta blocker 50mg and Ace Inhibitor 2mg. As per Dr's instructions, I am to go off the patch in a week so I found this video very informative and comforting just knowing what to watch out for. Many thanks Dr Gupta

My Heart Dr needs to watch this, especially on beta-blockers. He prescribed one to me and I had events till I quit taking it.

I just had an incident of Chest pain (angina). Notice I say "Pain" and not Discomfort. This clearly was Pain over the heart. Warranting that I take Nitroglycerin to relieve the pain. I just saw my Cardiologist yesterday and he indicated that I most likely had a coronary spasm. But I was at rest, not under emotional stress, yet had horrible chest pain. I'm still trying to get a complete explanation for what happened to me.

Interesting, thank you. I’ve been getting intermittent left sided chest pain for several years. I’ve had numerous investigations all of which have been normal. My biggest causative factor is stress. I’ve given up work recently- partly due to the pain resulting from working in a stressful ( NHS) environment. I take magnesium supplements every day. Since retiring the pain episodes have substantially reduced. I’ve been told by my local cardiology team that coronary artery spasm is the most likely diagnosis.

Thank you for this video and your other videos. You are so helpful!

Yes, Doctor, it was very useful for understanding. Thank you

Handsome doctor and so well said! Thank you ! 🥰

I think I have this. I get them right before I fall asleep, which wakes me up instantly.

I am going through menopause and stress being single parent. I have getting this discomfort recently and happens on the morning. It is so scary I feel like passing out and fainting. Have to speak to Dr about these episodes..sooner

I have had the million dollar workup with mostly just ??? As the results but now with History as the diagnostic tool you have answered the questions thank you, thankyou, thank you.

An excellent explanation. Thank you! I found this video extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

i had aparrently an art spasm for 3 years (4-6 events per year). It occured during the day while at rest, no eve. and never in early am. I never got it from exercising,running etc,only when sitting around at home. I finally went & had a treadmill and echo. No problems,Im told. No advice what to do (medicare,no suprise) . On my own,I started Mg at 200mg per day and I havent had angina since. 2 years now.

I had a heart attack and stent 3 years ago all my other arteries are clear I have had princemetal angina for years mostly coming on at rest the calcium channel blockers help also gtn but I still get them amazing video very well explained thanks for sharing.

Check as well for a hiatal hernia which can cause similar symptoms ie chest spasms, tightness and pain in chest and trouble breathing and trouble exercising.

I had an appointment (first follow up) from heart attack due to scad in November. I had a second event on New Years Day, which is now believed to have been spasm. Lots of info to take in today, so very pleased I found your post about the topic. Helps to go over what was said to me today. Appreciate your channel. I am a fit 63 yr old women. Heart attack was the last thing I was expecting.

Will try to be more consistent in taking my magnesium after watching your video👧👍. Thank you!

Thank you 🙏 just saw a cardiologist for the first time this week who thinks I might have this. He didn’t explain it as well as you. Now off to get those scary tests 😢

I have a coronary artery spasm whenever my DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) goes up. I also get the spasm from many supplements and spices. On the other hand estrogen helps and also blocking DHT helps.

I had been having this for eight years . It hard to be like this , I hate living around with this. Mine started being lightheaded , dizzy , pressure , discomfort , heavy feeling. It made my chest in the middle like it was being ripped open. It mostly hurts on the left and the left arm hurts along with it. So I learn to live my life around it , but lately it been fluttering alot lately. To the point , where I am tired , short of breath , and feels like I got hit by a semi truck . When it hurts , it makes me angry .

This was excellent, i was brainstorming my chest pain tightness, which was exercise educed and at rest sometimes and other times i could exercise without any issues or starts bad and as i go on after about 20 min the feeling gets better . my cardiologist thinks it is blocked arteries, i was thinking this sounds like the artery mussels spasm because it is inconsistent and searched for the words and your video was the first recommendation which explained everything .

I might of had one of these spasms, i ended up in the ER for localised mild chest pressure. Ekg showed ischemia from the front part of the heart, cardiac enxymes score was a .02 & a ct angiogram with contrast that showed no significanticant signs of plaque buildup. It's weird what our bodies can do

I literally just got diagnosed with this Friday. It has been a very painful four months but thanks to my amazing doctor and an emergency heart cath I now know it's treatable.

I got woken up by a very painful spasm the other night. The spasms were constant for about 40 minutes. It was like my heart was being electrocuted. I also have serve copd so.. But I've had angina symptoms since I was 20 but nothing serious enough I thought I needed medical attention. I will now seek medical advice after watching this. Thanks

I have this condition but it started after I took the sinopharm vaccine. I had never gotten this discomfort.

I find you to be brilliant. Thank you. 😇

Thank you explain it so clearly I have had 2 diagnosis of coronary artery spasm and micro vascular angina this has helped me understand it all more

Oh, your so good Dr. Sanjay.Remarkable how you explain so clearly . Showcases how very clever you are.Always being positive and giving clear and concise solutions to the issues concerned.We are fortunate to have this information and to improve.My gratitude is immense as this is valuable info.Thank you for video and blessings and greetings and hugs.xoxo

Thank you, I think that may be my current problem with my Angina. My Dr. returns next week and we have an appointment and I'll bring it up. I've been keeping a short daily diary of when and how strong the pain is and when I take a Isorbic tablet.

I love your videos! They’re so interesting and informative! I have Prinzmetal Angina as well as a heart murmur, enlarged heart, ischemia. I suffer from depression and anxiety. My recent echocardiogram was normal but my stress test was abnormal. My angina usually only lasts about 15-20 minutes. The most recent angina attack lasted 3 1/2 hours. I took nitro and chewed an aspirin. Then in the ambulance they gave me another nitro and at the hospital I chewed another aspirin. After all the meds started to work the angina went away.

I had a heart attack with no blockage. I still get pain at rest. I will talk to my NP. Also. the beta blocker dropped my heart rate and couldn't be used. Thank you for the knowledge.

I've had Prinnzmetal's for about 15 years. Thanks for the comment on hyperventilation. Recently had that experience. You might pay close attention to patients this year because of what is being called Post COVID Inflammation. My angina symptoms worsened as a result. It was identified because I had severe nasal congestion caused by this inflammation. Dr. is treating it with steroid.

Thank you! I just released from the hospital and was diagnosed with vasospasam.

Thank you so much for sharing this video.....it all makes sense now.... I have the spasms in my Artery like you said on when resting.... but before I knew what it was I was taken to A&E in the UK a couple of times, but they told me i had unstable Angina! It comes on mostly when I'm resting at home or asleep but I do have a GT spray which helps me so much.... I did have an Angiogram once but they said to continue with my GT spray.... It's good when someone explains a health issue as my GP never has the time.... Thank you once again......😊

Thank you very much I have some kind of flatter or a little bit of a skipped heartbeat or something but I've had some stressfull situations of a violence. when I'm at rest my heart is like that then when I'm not stressed after a while it goes away. thank you very much for the video it was interesting and helpful. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures was buried and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures 1 Corinthians 15 verse 3

I am patient party and found your discussion very nicely placed and easy to understand. Is it possible for a girl (not in regular sports) of 17 yrs old to have this problem ??

Can it happen near the bottom of your shoulder blade?

Excellent video! My doctors tried to diagnose me with having these coronary artery spasms and anxiety because they couldn't figure out why I kept ending up in the ER with elevated Troponin levels, sometimes pain in the chest, lightheadedness, caused by symptomatic pvc's. Come to find out I kept ending up in the ER with debilitating symptoms feeling like I was seriously going to die because of the blood pressure medicine they would prescribe me... Diltizem, Lisinopril, Amlodipine, HCTZ.. They all caused different debilitating symptoms. My body is evidently extremely sensitive to Ace Inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers. They would all lower my bp down from Hypertension stage 2 to a Normal 120/80 but I would end up in an ambulance in a hypertensive crisis being rushed to the hospital because my body ended up rejecting the medicine. The only thing my body seems to handle is the Magnesium Taurate you suggested and Metoprolol... but they don't lower my bp..

The way you explain and Fluency of your English is impressive... Thank you Dr

When I lay down, i feel chest spasms. When I sit up, it goes away

Does anyone else have pvcs/ectopics that hurt sometimes? I have panic disorder but I can just be laying down watching tv and they happen pretty rarely though. It’s a very mild sticking pain that happens for a second. But it’s so scary?

Dr gupta sir very important topic covered in this video thanks and good wishes, I m enjoying your knowledge through these gem vedika 13/11/2019

Great information Dr. My doctor has suggested I may have this as I have LBBB and I get chest discomfort quite often in rest or under stresses.

Have been in and out of Hospital for over a year and was just diagnosed with coronary heart disease but not at a point of stent being installed. The Staff nurse took a ECG and noted after the procedure that I may have spasm. Dull pain that lasts normally a few secs to min and I may get a few of these from 3-5 in a row even when resting but over the day. not just morning and also when driving. i will try some magnesium supplements as i have not tried this. Great video very easy to understand as i did not understand the docs as they were talking and said the pain was muscular.

Thank you so much for the clear explanations ❤️

I just got out of the hospital because I have angina and the doctor told me that I have coronary artery spasm or Prinzmetal Angina. I am now taking a drug called isosorbide mononitrate. I pray it works because I am tired of the angina. I also have a mild cardiomegaly.

Thank you so much. I have these spasms 1 day before my period amd 1st day of my period. Mine are definatky hormone related. I find this interesting as I have lupus. Both my kids have pots and have bad pots symptoms pms. Makes me wonder if there is something genetic/autoimmune with inflammation causing this!

What a handsome Doctor!! Takes my breath away and scrambles my brain so I've had to watch it several times! Blue is your color, Doc!

I was tikd that I have a tortuous LAD causing spasm and coronary symptoms including ST segment depression on EKG. I have not told if this is a life threatening condition but was prescribed Nitro.

Are there any natural ways to reverse variant angina?

Fantastic as usual 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Good information hello Dr Gupta from Michigan USA

Thank you for this information. I've always thought that when my Magnesium level goes beyond my low normal that's when my spasms occur.

U seem to have an answer for every thing do u have an answer for this when I bend my left arm a surtin way I get a shivering heart and pass out why ???.

Iam feeling same from last 30days went to docter he gave muscle spasm Tablets 23 years old Male from India.

Thank you 🙏 for the video! What you talked about sounds exactly like what I am experiencing! I’ve had a stress test, an angiogram, and a holter monitor. All the tests came back fairly normal. I do have a 20% to 30% blockage in a coronary artery. I have paroxysmal arterial tachycardia.

Have had this last 2 years. It lead to full heart attack 1 1/2 years ago with trop levels at widowmaker levels. Have had 1 more since. Now on 6 heart meds and spray which is used several times a month as the pain is unreal and scary as hell which makes it worse

Hello Dr. Gupta from Washington State, USA. Another big "thank you" from someone that was very quickly diagnosed with CAV. Your video is very informative as I''m learning how to best manage this condition. I believe you mentioned that using a beta blocker was NOT helpful, is that correct? As I have chronic anxiety, I was put on a beta blocker several years ago and my cardiologist kept me on it after my vasospasm diagnosis. Could you please tell me the reasoning for NOT including this medication? Thank you again.

can you get that spasm due to chronic insomnia? coz i experience similar to that.

Sir, you mentioned that beta blockers should not be used in the case of coronary spasms; but what if the patient is having right sided heart failure also?

I be having spasms in my left chest muscle for a year now its usually hurts when I pull something near me with my left arm I can lift weights no problem but wen I pull an object near me I get a popping sensation then bad spasm in my left chest area. Can u inform me about this?

I pray everyone on here be blessed in Jesus name

This is an informative video, thank you!

I feel like i gett slight pressure under my left nipple where i can feel the bottom of my heart beating and then it feels like it tenses up for a second beats super hard but off rythem then starts palpitating. I also have constant muscle spasms everywhere when it all started happening i started getting panic attacks almost daily so my dr thinks its anxiety but hes also never sent me to a neurologist or did a stress test or anything really just routine blood work and ecg .

Im 18, no smoking/drinking/drugs and no low mg or high cholesterol or pressure. However im stressed 24/7. I sometimes have chest discomfort but its after i wake up. Like today i woke up at 10 am and got some discomfort at 10.15 while just laying in bed. So it doesnt wake me up and 10 am isnt those early morning hours, its pretty late i would say. But its not this crushing sensation you re describing, its more of an indigestion feeling and i have some burping too. It lasts for quite a while i guess but its not a pain that seems unbearable or scary, just chest burning. I started getting it after learning about the spasms so since i got health and illness anxiety it could all in my mind. So could i have spasms as a healthy 18 year old who is just really stressed?