Cardiac syndrome X
Cardiac syndrome X is angina (chest pain) with signs associated with decreased blood flow to heart tissue but with normal coronary arteries. Some studies have found increased risk of other vasospastic disorders in cardiac syndrome X patients, such as migraine and Raynaud's phenomenon. It is treated with calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, and usually carries a favorable prognosis.
This is a distinct diagnosis from Prinzmetal's angina.
Cardiac syndrome X is sometimes referred to as microvascular angina when there are findings of microvascular dysfunction.
Contents
Features
While there is no formal definition for cardiac syndrome X, the general consensus is that it entails all of the following:
- Angina: This usually does not cause dysfunction on echocardiogram and can last longer than that of heart disease.
- Abnormal Cardiac stress test: ST changes are typically similar to those of coronary artery disease and opposite of those with Prinzmetal's angina. Myocardial perfusion imaging can be abnormal in 30% of patients.
- Coronary angiogram: Normal
- Other causes of chest pain must be ruled out, including:
Causes
There is no specific known cause for Syndrome X but a multitude of risk factors that act together. It is believed that the lack of blood flow caused by a microvascular disease and the enhanced pain perception are two of the factors that may cause it. [1] The microvascular dysfunctions refer to the abnormalities in the very small blood vessels of the heart. The narrowing of these vessels may lead to the lack of oxygen in specific areas of the cardiac muscle which causes chest pain. Several studies have shown that patients suffering from Syndrome X have enhanced pain perception and they usually feel more intense chest pain than the individuals without Syndrome X.
The risk factors include abdominal obesity, meaning the excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen, atherogenic dyslipidemia which is a blood fat disorder, and elevated blood pressure. [2] Other risk factors are the insulin resistance or intolerance to glucose, prothrombotic state or proinflammatory state. The cardiac syndrome X disease is also known as the insulin resistance syndrome because one of the most dominant risk factors is the insulin resistance along with the abdominal obesity. Older people are more at risk to develop this condition and it is proven to be a genetic disorder. Women are more prone to this condition than men, as well as those who have a history of heart disease in the family. [3]
Diagnosis
Cardiac syndrome X is a diagnosis of exclusion. Typically this will necessitate both a clinical diagnosis, appropriate stress testing, and a coronary angiogram that meet the above criteria.
Tests and Exams
Cardiac syndrome X can be diagnosed using different tests and exams but it is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion. However, sedentary and overweighted individuals with a family history of type 2 diabetes should regularly be doing tests to determine if they have irregular levels of glucose, lipids or blood pressure abnormalities. [4] They are usually associated with cardiac syndrome X. A first test to be taken is an exercise stress test which shows if the heart is not getting blood during exertion. Angiograms may be useful and conclusive when diagnosing cardiac syndrome X because they offer a detailed image of the heart. However, they cannot detect potential abnormalities in the small arteries and the doctor may ask for more tests in order to rule out other heart conditions, such as Prinzmetal's angina which has similar symptoms.
Pathophysiology
In a large percentage of patients, there is a finding of systemic microvascular abnormalities, causing reduced blood flow in the microvasculature of the cardiac muscles.
While numerous physiological mechanisms have been proposed, none have been proven.
Difference between syndrome X and other types of chest pain
Chest pain caused by cardiac syndrome X is most of the time unpredictable and it can occur when at rest and/or during exercise. The pain associated with syndrome X is normally more intense and it lasts for longer periods of time compared to pain caused by other conditions. For example, a stable angina causes chest pain that goes away when at rest. Another important difference is that while chest pain caused by any type of stable angina is relieved with nitroglycerin, this drug is not effective in most of patients with syndrome X.
Women and cardiac syndrome X
The reasons why women are more prone than men to develop a syndrome X condition are still not clear for doctors. However, it is believed that hormones along with other risk factors unique to women play a very important role. The constant changing of the estrogen levels may be one of the reasons along with the changes brought by birth.
Treatment
- nitrates - can reduce chest pain
- calcium channel blockers - specifically nifedipine and diltiazem can be effective.
- beta blockers - also work.
- aminophylline - may work by inhibiting adenosine receptors.
- estrogen - may work in women.
Even if it is a serious medical condition, cardiac syndrome X is a curable disease which very seldom causes a heart attack or puts at risk the life of the patient. The treatment consists in drugs, mainly to relieve chest pain, but a very important part of the treatment is regularly visiting the doctor and repeating the tests to make sure the condition was taken care of in full. The first step in cardiac syndrome X is the administration of nitrates which relieve the chest pain. They are used because of their ability to relax the muscles of the heart and blood vessels. However, they prove to be inefficient in as much as half of the patients. Alternative treatments may consist from calcium channel blockers or beta blockers which reduces chest pain by relaxing the muscle cells lining the artery and improving blood flow to the heart while lowering blood pressure Aminophylline may also work, as well as estrogen can be effective in women.
Also, a change in lifestyle is highly recommended in order to cure and to prevent syndrome X. Patients should start following healthier diets which are low in saturated fats, along with regular physical activities. However, any patient with a heart disease condition should first seek for a medical opinion before starting exercising. Quitting smoking is also highly recommended.
See also
References
- ↑ Healthy Heart Information Heart healthy women Portal. Retrieved on 2010-01-31
- ↑ Heart Disease Information American Heart Association. Retrieved on 2010-02-02
- ↑ Cardiac Syndrome Details Retrieved on 2010-02-02
- ↑ Heart Disease Conditions Diagnose Me Online Portal. Retrieved on 2010-02-02
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- Botker HE, Sonne HS, Sorensen KE (1996). "Frequency of systemic microvascular dysfunction in syndrome X and in variant angina". Am J Cardiol. 78 (2): 182–6. doi:10.1016/S0002-9149(96)90393-8. PMID 8712140.
- Cardiac Syndrome X: An Overview
- Cardiac Syndrome X
- Texas Heart Institute
- New England Journal of Medicine Editorialsde:Kardiales Syndrom X
