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 painuncomfortable
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 911 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. |