Angina is a sign that someone is at increased risk of heart attack. Variant angina pectoris is also called Prinzmetal's angina. Unlike typical angina, it occurs almost exclusively when a person is at rest, and it doesn't follow a period of physical exertion or emotional stress. Attacks can be very painful and usually occur between midnight and 8 a.m. These may include ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation .
Variant angina is due to coronary artery spasm .
About two-thirds of people with it have severe coronary atherosclerosis in at least one major vessel. The spasm usually occurs very close to the blockage. Many people with Prinzmetal's angina go through an acute, active phase. Anginal and cardiac events may occur often for six months or more. Long-term survival is excellent, ranging from 89 to 97 percent at five years.