Your Trusted Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)Treatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)
Coronary microvascular disease (CMD), also called “small vessel disease” or coronary microvascular dysfunction, occurs when the walls of very small arteries in the heart are not functioning normally. CMD can cause chest pain, also known as angina, and is typically a diagnosis of exclusion. If diagnosed, CMD is treated with medication.
Symptoms of Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)
The most common symptom of CMD is chest discomfort, which may be similar to pain experienced from coronary atherosclerosis in classic coronary artery disease. Not uncommonly, patients and their doctors have been told “I don’t know why you have chest pain because your arteries are normal.” Other symptoms include:
- Chest tightness, pressure, or squeezing
- Jaw, neck, upper arm, shoulder or back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Chest pain after coronary artery balloon angioplasty or stenting
Risk Factors of Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)
Smoking
High cholesterol
Sedentary or inactive lifestyle
Obesity
Adult Women
Diagnosis of Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)
The diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease (CMD) is made by a qualified general or interventional cardiologist. It is diagnosis of exclusion, after life-threatening causes have been ruled out.
- Stress testing: Used to determine how you blood vessels and heart muscle responds to physical exertion.
- Coronary angiogram: Also known as heart catheterization, helps rule out blockages in the coronary arteries. Using a special guidewire to measure flow inside your heart arteries may also be performed.
Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD)
The goal of treatment for CMD is to reduce pain by improving blood flow to the small blood vessels of the heart. This is accomplished by using medications and making lifestyle changes. Medications may include the following:
This class of medication improves blood flow to the heart by relaxing blood vessels, a process called vasodilatation.
This class of medication slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
Help relax blood vessels, and aid in repair of blood vessel damage. They also help lower bad cholesterol levels.
These medications help relax blood vessels to improve flow.
Also called Ranexa, helps decrease chest pain by affecting sodium and calcium levels.
Lifestyle changes include weight loss, increased physical activity, controlling blood sugar levels, stopping smoking, and eating a healthy diet. Although there is limited evidence to support its use, taking the supplement L-arginine may also help reduce symptoms of CMD.
Experienced Care for Coronary Microvascular Disease (CMD) Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you are having symptoms concerning for coronary microvascular disease (CMD), please call us at (605) 503-8192 to schedule an appointment with Black Hills Heart and Vascular.
