What’s the Issue with Traditional Angina Tests?
If you’ve ever felt chest pain and wondered what was going on, you’re not alone. Angina is a type of chest pain often caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, and it can be scary.
Traditionally, doctors have used heart scans to figure out the cause, but these scans don’t always provide clear answers.
A recent study led by the University of Glasgow found that standard CT scans often miss a common cause of angina called “INOCA” (Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Arteries).
The New Approach: Testing Small Blood Vessels
Researchers introduced a new set of tests that focus on the small blood vessels in the heart. They invited patients who had already been scanned and had no blocked arteries to participate in the study.
These additional tests showed that INOCA was four times more likely to be the reason for their chest pain. Moreover, these tests were better at ruling out other potential causes.
This is great news for patients because it can help doctors pinpoint the cause of their symptoms more accurately. Knowing the exact cause can lead to better treatment options, and fewer unnecessary tests and referrals.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
Professor Colin Berry, one of the lead researchers, emphasized the real-world impact of these findings.
“This approach led to improvements in treatment satisfaction, reduced unnecessary referrals for extra tests, and helped to improve control of blood pressure,” he said.
However, Berry also pointed out that more work needs to be done, particularly in finding new treatments for INOCA.
His team is currently working on another trial focused on that, with results expected by the end of 2023.
In short, this new method of testing could be a game-changer for people experiencing angina. It offers a more accurate diagnosis, which is the first step towards effective treatment.
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