Prolonged spasm may even cause heart attack . Coronary artery spasm may occur spontaneously, or it may be caused by exposure to cold, emotional stress , or vasoconstricting medications. Cocaine use can cause severe spasm of the arteries while at the same time increasing the energy requirements of the heart. Variant angina is a syndrome, probably involving coronary artery spasm, where the angina pain does not have the usual triggering activities. It most often affects women under 50.
Prevention varies depending on the cause.
Low fat diet and increased excercise may reduce ther risk of atherosclerosis . Avoid cocaine use. A coronary angiography shows spasm when the artery is injected with ergonovine. An ECG may show ischemic changes during chest pain , and it may show arrhythmias or conduction defects. Tests may be done to rule out fixed lesions such as clot or atherosclerosis as the cause of chest pain.