If a person is diagnosed with coronary syndrome X is it a life long condition ?
I was diagnosed at 41 after abnormal troponin and all symptoms of HA but cos ECG was normal, told it was syndrome X and discharged from cardiology after 6 months
I am now 59
Do I still have syndrome X
I googled Syndrome X and got this: "Syndrome X is a cluster of abnormalities caused by a high intake of refined carbohydrates, leading to hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance followed by diminished insulin sensitivity, further leading to hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and T2DM."
It suggests that lifestyle changes are needed, like eating healthier. I don't know what your diet and exercise are like but you might want to discuss them with your doctor.
Hi Jimmy
It is all very confusing as Syndrome X gets used interchangeably with Cardiac syndrome X hence the adoption of the term Microvascular angina to describe CSX .
All of the above about diet and life style apply to both conditions of course!
My BMI is 21, I don't smoke and exercise as much as I can and live with Coronary vasospastic angina....probably in my genes or the environment pollution etc.
Hi Ampdolly,
Cardiac syndrome X is an historic term for Microvascular angina.
There is growing evidence that you do need on going care and treatment by a Cardiologist for your Microvascular angina to prevent further problems in the future.
When you hear the term Cardiac syndrome X being used it may well reflect that particular Healthcare professional's knowledge is not as upto date as perhaps it should be.
The BHF has some information about Microvascular angina.
The term now being used to describe a heart attack with out blockages( plaque or blood clot) is MINOCA, Myocardial infarction non obstructive coronary arteries it is thought to be cause of about 8% of heart attacks and more likely to happen to younger women.
Coronary artery spasms, Takostubo syndrome and Spontaneous coronary artery dissection ( SCAD) are other causes along with MVA of this type of Heart attack.
This is new territory and knowledge and many Cardiologist have no knowledge or understanding of the condition.
Have a read of the information and perhaps go and see your GP.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
This article maybe one to share with your GP and Cardiologist
heart.bmj.com/content/104/4...
There are quite a few of us on this site who live with either Microvascular angina or Coronary artery spasms some both.
Hello ampdolly
I've recently been diagnosed with microvascular angina. As Milkfairy says this used to be called cardiac syndrome X. It's not fully understood even by the professionals, so it's perhaps understandable that patients like me are still struggling to understand the condition. All I can tell you is what I know so far.
The condition is caused by the smaller coronary arteries not dilating properly to let blood flow through optimally. Why this happens is not fully understood. As far as I'm concerned this constriction results in breathlessness, particularly on exertion. Others have chest pain as per more typical manifestation of angina.
I take a load of pills, some to protect my heart generally, others to help the blood vessels dilate. So far these have had a positive effect on my condition. I am exercising and losing weight. I am assuming my condition is life-long.
My diagnosis was pretty straightforward. A stress echo cardiogram showed up substantial ischaemia (restricted blood flow) but the angiogram revealed my main arteries were pretty clear (the resolution of the x rays in an angiogram is not sufficiently high to show up what is happening with the smaller blood vessels). So the conclusion was probable microvascular disease which was confirmed later by a specialist in the condition.
Hope this helps and I wish you well.
Thanks but I do remain confused because one doctor told me I had a heart attack because my troponin was raised then another told me it wasn’t a heart attack because my ECG was normal !
Hi Ampdolly,
It is very confusing I agree. It is actually sometimes quite difficult to diagnose a heart attack. Even more so in women.
You can have a raised troponin due to a coronary artery spasm but these are brief and can be missed on an ECG.
I do suggest that you ask to see a Cardiologist to confirm your diagnosis so you recieve the treatment you need.
Comment from a very experienced Cardiologist to me ' you can't be a little bit pregnant but you can have a little bit of a heart attack and sometimes we don't know for sure.'
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