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Learn About Prinzmetal's Variant Angina

What is the definition of Prinzmetal's Variant Angina?
Prinzmetal's variant angina (PVA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of chest pain (angina) that usually occur when a person is at rest, between midnight and early morning. Typical angina, by contrast, is often triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress. Episodes of PVA can be very painful, and may last from several minutes to thirty minutes. In some cases the pain may spread from the chest to the head, shoulder, or arm. The pain associated with PVA is caused by a spasm in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries). This results in an obstruction of blood flow. In some people, persistent spasms increase the risk for serious complications such as a life-threatening arrhythmia or heart attack. PVA most commonly occurs in people who smoke and people who have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In many cases it occurs for unknown reasons in otherwise healthy people. In some cases it may be triggered by alcohol withdrawal, stress, exposure to cold, certain medications, or use of stimulants such as cocaine. The diagnosis of PVA involves findings on an electrocardiogram, evidence of the spasms on angiogram, and relief of sudden symptoms with medicines called nitrates.
What are the alternative names for Prinzmetal's Variant Angina?
  • Prinzmetal's variant angina
  • Angina inversa
  • Coronary artery vasospasm
  • Prinzmetal angina
  • Variant angina
  • Vasospastic angina
Who are the top Prinzmetal's Variant Angina Local Doctors?
Tulio A. Diaz
Advanced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina
Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology
Advanced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina
Interventional Cardiology | Cardiology

Texas Health Heart And Vascular Specialists

8440 Walnut Hill Ln, Ste 400 Bldg 4, 
Dallas, TX 
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish

Dr. Tulio Diaz earned his medical degree from Universidad Libre de Cali in Cali, Colombia, in 1999. After medical school, he completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. Following, he went on to a Fellowship in Cardiovascular and Vascular Medicine; As well as completing Interventional Cardiology training, both at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Being a board-certified interventional cardiologist, he is the first cardiologist in the metroplex to specifically obtain a certification in vascular interpretation through ARDMS. As well as, obtaining certifications in Endovascular Interventions for peripheral vascular disease through SMVB and a certification in Vascular Medicine.Furthermore, he is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. Completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is also a Member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. As well as the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Diaz is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Prinzmetal's Variant Angina. His top areas of expertise are Angina, Unstable Angina, Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Atherectomy.

Matthew E. Dickson
Experienced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina
Cardiology | Nuclear Medicine
Experienced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina
Cardiology | Nuclear Medicine

Texas Health Heart And Vascular Specialists

3142 Horizon Rd, Ste 110, 
Rockwall, TX 
Experience:
17+ years
Languages Spoken:
English, German

Matthew Dickson, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., is fellowship-trained and board-certified in internal medicine, cardiac CT, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and cardiology. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., with a bachelor's degree in biology before going on to receive his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and fellowships in cardiology and advanced multimodality cardiovascular imaging at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.Dr. Dickson's areas of special interest include cardiovascular risks in women after menopause, echocardiography, cardiovascular imaging, ambulatory monitoring and exercise testing. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, American Society for Preventive Cardiology and North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging. When not caring for the heart-health needs of his patients, Dr. Dickson enjoys jogging, skiing, scuba diving and playing the trumpet. . Dr. Dickson is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Prinzmetal's Variant Angina. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Regurgitation, Pediatric Myocarditis, Necrosis, and Fainting.

 
 
 
 
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Brandie D. Williams
Experienced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina
Experienced in Prinzmetal's Variant Angina

Texas Health Heart And Vascular Specialists

140 River North Blvd, Ste 100, 
Stephenville, TX 
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Brandie Williams, M.D., graduated with honors in biochemistry from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. After receiving her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, she completed her residency training in internal medicine — and fellowship training in cardiology — at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She is board-certified in internal medicine and echocardiography.Williams has earned several humanitarian awards, including the Gold DOC Award from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation for her exemplary sensitivity, compassion and clinical excellence in the care of patients and their families. Her areas of focus include diagnostic heart catheterization, echocardiography, nuclear medicine and vascular studies, with special interests in women’s cardiovascular care, preventive cardiology and sports cardiology.Williams enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children. Dr. Williams is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Prinzmetal's Variant Angina. Her top areas of expertise are Aortic Regurgitation, Pediatric Myocarditis, Necrosis, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.

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Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center