Rapid Narrowing of One or More Blood Vessels
Vasospasm is the abrupt narrowing of one or more blood vessels.
The effects of cerebral vasospasm can include seizures and loss of consciousness.
The condition requires urgent treatment.
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Vasospasm can also affect theblood vessels of the heartor the systemic circulation.
These are the large blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to organs so they can function.
This may cause diminished function or complete necrosis (death) of the blood-deprived region of the body.
Vasospasm can develop over the course of hours or several days.
Symptoms will differ, depending on which part of the body is deprived of blood flow.
It can also cause a stroke if the blood flow does not partially resume within a few minutes.
Symptoms of cerebral vasospasm can include:
The effects of cerebral vasospasm develop and progress quickly.
If it causes a stroke, it may result in lasting neurological consequences.
Sometimes cerebral vasospasm may be fatal.
This can make it especially challenging to recognize the effects of vasospasm.
Your doctors will monitor your neurological function to promptly identify this problem.
This can cause dizziness,angina(chest pain), or shortness of breath.
If the blood flow does not resume within a few minutes, coronary vasospasm can cause aheart attack.
Symptoms of this can include:
A heart attack can cause damage to the muscles of the heart.
The lasting consequences of a heart attack can also include intermittent dizziness due to anirregular heart rate.
A heart attack is a life-threatening event.
Rarely, vasospasm in the extremities can cause pain.
Vasospasm can happen due to certain risk factors or underlying medical issues.
Examples are a brain aneurysm that suddenly ruptures or exacerbation of untreated hypertension (high blood pressure).
What Happens in the Body
The blood vessels throughout the body have smooth muscles in their walls.
These are involuntary muscles that perform without conscious effort.
This occurs due to changes in factors such as blood volume or oxygen consumption.
Diagnosis
Vasospasm is diagnosed based on clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.
Your doctor may examine your extremities to identify systemic vasospasm, looking for changes like discoloration.
Coronary vasospasm can cause changes that are detectable withelectrocardiogram (EKG).
This will involve a combination approach that includes lifestyle adjustments and medication.
Summary
Vasospasm is the sudden narrowing of a blood vessel.
Cerebral and coronary vasospasm may result in a stroke or heart attack.
It can be triggered by several causes, including bleeding, drugs, or severe changes in blood pressure.
It is treated with medications that open up the blood vessels and prevent clots.
2021 May 5;10(5):1108. doi:10.3390/cells10051108
