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Published on: June 29, 2013
Treatment of the hypertensive patient with microvascular angina
H Ventura1, P Loyalka, F W Smart
1Department of Medicine, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
Insights
Syndrome X, also known as microvascular angina, involves heterogeneous diseases. Effective treatments require accurate diagnosis, hypertension control, and further research into nitric oxide and L-arginine roles.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Syndrome X and microvascular angina represent a diverse group of cardiovascular conditions.
- Existing treatments include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, with varying success rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of hypertension control and left ventricular hypertrophy regression in managing microvascular angina symptoms.
- To emphasize the need for further research into the role of nitric oxide and L-arginine in the pathogenesis and treatment of these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on Syndrome X and microvascular angina treatments.
- Analysis of the impact of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy on symptom presentation.
- Exploration of the potential therapeutic roles of nitric oxide and L-arginine.
Main Results:
- Medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers show promise in treating microvascular angina.
- Hypertension management and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy are crucial for symptom control.
Conclusions:
- Optimal treatment strategies for chest pain in hypertensive patients with normal coronary angiograms depend on precise diagnosis and classification.
- Further elucidation of nitric oxide and L-arginine pathways is essential for advancing treatment paradigms.
Abstract:
Syndrome X and microvascular angina are a heterogenous group of diseases. Several medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, have been reported to be successful in the treatment of microvascular angina. Control of hypertension and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy are important in controlling symptoms associated with this intriguing problem. The role of nitric oxide and the effects of L-arginine in the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension and microvascular angina need to be elucidated. Optimal treatment will depend on the appropriate classification and diagnosis of chest pain in patients with hypertension and normal coronary angiograms.
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