What is small vessel disease?
Small vessel disease is a condition that affects the small arteries in your heart. It is caused when these arteries are damaged and do not expand properly. It is also called coronary microvascular disease. Your small blood vessels dilate and contract to supply blood to your heart. They send more blood when you exercise or exert yourself. They send less blood when you are at rest. Small blood vessel disease makes blood flow more difficult.
Symptoms of diseases of small blood vessels
Angina pectoris is the most common symptom of small vessel disease. Angina feels like pain or pressure in the chest. It can make you sweat or have difficulty breathing. The pain may spread to your arm, neck, jaw, or shoulder. The symptom is similar to a heart attack.
Other symptoms of small vessel disease include:
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Fatigue
- Pass out
Most people with small vessel disease notice symptoms in their daily routine. You can also get them when you are active or stressed. If left untreated, small blood vessel disease forces your heart to work harder to pump blood. This puts you at risk for a heart attack and heart failure.
Women are at greater risk for small blood vessel disease. Other risk factors include:
- Low estrogen levels
- Obesity
- High bloodpressure
- Hoge cholesterol
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Family history of heart disease
What causes small vessel disease?
A narrowing of your heart arteries leads to small vessel disease. This can be caused by:
- Spasms in your blood vessels
- Damage to your artery walls
- Sick arteries
Small vessel disease is not the same as coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD affects the large blood vessels in your heart. They transport oxygen-rich blood to your heart. CAD is caused by a buildup of a fatty substance (plaque) in your large blood vessels. If your heart lacks blood and oxygen, you can have a heart attack.
How is small vessel disease diagnosed?
Contact your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of small blood vessel disease. Small blood vessel diseases are difficult to diagnose. This is because the ships are so small. Your doctor can perform tests to examine your symptoms. He or she will make sure that the blockage is not in your large coronary arteries.
If you have severe chest pain that extends from your chest to your jaw or left arm, seek help immediately.
Can small blood vessel diseases be prevented or avoided?
The best way to prevent small vessel disease is to reduce your risk factors.
- Lose weight.If you are overweight, make a weight loss plan with your doctor.
- do not smoke.Nicotine increases your blood pressure because your body releases adrenaline. It constricts your blood vessels and makes your heart beat faster. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help quitting.
- Check your blood pressure.If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may suggest ways to lower it. Taking medications to treat high blood pressure should be taken with caution, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Improve your cholesterol levels.A healthy diet and exercise can balance your cholesterol levels. They lower your 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) and increase your 'good' cholesterol (HDL). LDL blocks your blood vessels and increases your risk of developing heart disease. Medicines can also help with this.
- Regular exercise strengthens your heart and reduces the risk of heart disease. Before you start, talk to your doctor about the right type of exercise for you. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes at least 4 to 6 times a week.
- Eat a healthy diet.Add foods to your diet that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Foods that are low in fat and raise your HDL levels help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Control diabetes.Work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Treatment of diseases of small blood vessels
Medicines can help control the narrowing of your small blood vessels. It can also help control your symptoms, such as pain and high blood pressure. Surgery is not an option because the vessels are so small.
Living with small vessel disease
Your doctor will carry out routine checks to check how you are doing. The frequency of these checks depends on the severity of your illness. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have any new symptoms. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had anemia. Anemia is a condition characterized by a low number of red blood cells. It can increase your risk of heart attack.
Questions to ask your doctor
- If I have small vessel disease, can I exercise safely?
- Will medications to treat small vessel disease interact with medications I am already taking?
- What symptoms indicate that my condition is worsening?
- Does small blood vessel disease put me at risk for long-term problems?
Last updated:
This article was contributed by:editorial staff of familydoctor.org
Categories:Family health
Tags:angina
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Contact your doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this topic.
