Small Vessel Disease

Microvascular disease affects arteries that branch off from your heart’s main blood vessels (coronary microvasculature).

It’s also known as:

Small artery disease.
Small vessel disease.
Cardiac X syndrome.
Microvessel disease.
Nonobstructive coronary heart disease.

What is the role of the coronary microvasculature?

The coronary microvasculature is a network of tiny blood vessels in your heart. Many of them are the size of a few human hairs. These vessels control blood flow and capillary exchange within your heart.

Capillary exchange is a complex process during which tiny vessels deliver oxygen-rich blood and receive oxygen-poor blood from nearby tissue. The exchange also involves gases, nutrients and waste products.

How is coronary microvascular disease different from coronary artery disease?

Both conditions raise your risk of a heart attack. But the ways they affect your heart are different:

Coronary artery disease impacts the larger vessels called coronary arteries that overlay your heart. This condition most commonly occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) that form inside your arteries reduce or block blood flow completely.
Coronary microvascular disease affects the microvasculature (small blood vessels that come off of the large blood vessels) and prevents blood from nourishing your heart tissue. It occurs due to blood vessel damage or malfunction of the small blood vessels, not plaque buildup.

Who is more likely to experience microvascular coronary disease?

Small vessel disease is more likely to affect women than men. This is especially true in people with low estrogen levels, which occurs around menopause.

Other risk factors for include:

Autoimmune disease, including vasculitis.
Having overweight/obesity.
Diabetes.
Eating a diet that’s high in salt, saturated fat and processed foods.
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol.
Rheumatologic disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Sedentary lifestyle with low levels of physical activity.
Smoking.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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