MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vascular spasm

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Vascular spasm

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes	Symptoms Exams and Tests Treatment

Illustrations

Circulatory system

Definition Return to top

A vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of a blood vessel.

Causes Return to top

Vascular spasms (and heart attacks) may be caused by the use of cocaine.

Symptoms Return to top

Vascular spasms temporary limit blood flow to tissue supplied by that vessel. The most common symptom is pain. Other symptoms are caused by lack of proper circulation and will vary depending on the specific organ affected:

When the spasm affects circulation in a limb, there may be pallor and a sensation of cold in that arm or leg. Limb function and movement will be impaired.
When the spasm affects circulation in the heart, there may be symptoms similar to a heart attack and irregular heartbeats. Other names for chest pain resulting from vascular spasm are Prinzmetal's angina and variant angina.

Exams and Tests Return to top

These vary depending on the affected organ.

Treatment Return to top

Symptoms can sometimes be relieved by the use of medications that help relax the blood vessels.

Update Date: 11/6/2006

Updated by: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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