Living With Coronary Microvascular Disease

If you have coronary microvascular disease (MVD), you can take steps to stop it from getting worse. These steps are the same as those used to prevent coronary MVD. See "How Can Coronary Microvascular Disease Be Prevented" for more information.

If you have coronary MVD, see your doctor regularly to make sure the disease isn't getting worse and to keep track of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. A cholesterol blood test will show your levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. It will show whether you need more treatment. You may need to see a cardiologist in addition to your primary care doctor.

Talk to your doctor about how often you should schedule office visits or blood tests. Between those visits, call your doctor if you develop any new symptoms or your symptoms become more severe. You should:

• Know your symptoms and how and when to seek medical help.
• Be able to describe the usual pattern of your symptoms.
• Know which medicines you take and when and how to take them.
• Know how to control your symptoms, including angina.
• Know the limits of your physical activity.
• Learn ways to avoid or cope with stress.

MVD, like traditional coronary artery disease, increases your chance for a heart attack. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest discomfort or pain—uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
• Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath that may occur with or before chest discomfort.
• Other signs include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Call 9–1–1 within 5 minutes if you think you're having a heart attack. Acting fast at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms.