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Illustrated by Echo Medical Media
Cause: A genetic condition, increased adrenal activity, or smoking can cause the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart to involuntarily contract, decreasing the blood flow. Usually spasms occur when the heart is at rest. They cause chest pain and discomfort.
Prevention: Drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, can help treat spasms.
If untreated: Spasms can cut off blood flow, cause migraine headaches, and, if severe enough, cause a heart attack.
Remedies: Nitroglycerin tablets often can make spasms disappear.
Cutting edge: Minimally invasive diagnostic tools may help doctors find spasms and diagnose the condition.
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