Stable Angina – Beyond Clogged Pipe Concept

Patients with microvascular angina present with angina symptoms but have normal angiogram and is attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction. Microvascular dysfunction is a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease

CAD as a clogged pipe is a misconceptual model. Microvascular dysfunction is a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease that causes the small blood vessels feeding the heart muscle to not work as they should. This condition tends to affect more women than men and can cause chronic chest pain. Patients with microvascular angina present with angina symptoms but have normal angiogram and is attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction. Microvasculae angina is associated with poor QOL, increased healthcost & psychological stress. Invasive coronary vasomotor testing is gold standard. Prevention has a major role rather than treatment.