HeMe #3 | Page 28

CORONARY ARTERY SPASM Coronary artery spasm is a pain (discomfort) in the chest. It is caused by the constriction of coronary arteries which supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart. The constriction occurs due to tightening of smooth muscles in the arteries of the heart. Coronary artery spasms can be mild, moderate or severe. In some cases it can block the coronary arteries. Then Blood flow will be low or completely stop due to the narrowed arteries. So that oxygen and nutrients are not supplied to the heart properly. This can lead to a heart attack and then to sudden death. Sometimes coronary artery spasms may not cause any significant signs or symptoms in some patients. But these kinds of patients may complain that their chest paining slightly. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to heart attacks. But most patients complain about signs and symptoms of a coronary artery spasm. Common symptoms are chest pain (angina), pain on the left side of the chest during rest, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and squeezing of the chest etc. Chest tightness, and squeezing of the chest, starts from the centre of the chest and then spread to shoulders, arm, back, neck, or jawbone. Hypertension, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis are common causes of coronary artery spasms. Hypertension and high cholesterol increase the risk of arteri ??????????????)M???????????????)??????????????????????)????????????????????)??????????????????????)??????????????????????)???????????????????????)????????????%??????????)???????????????????)?????????????????????)???????????????????????)???????????((