Vasospastic Angina: A Rare Case of Phantom Odor Perception
Introduction
Vasospastic angina, also known as Prinzmetal angina, is a rare form of chest pain caused by spasms in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. While most people associate angina with classic symptoms like chest pain, some individuals experience more unusual signs. One such case is that of a 69-year-old woman who presented with the peculiar symptom of phantom odor perception, an odd sensation of smelling something that isn’t there, right before experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This rare symptom sheds light on the complexity of vasospastic angina and its links to neurological conditions.
Case Summary
A 69-year-old woman came to the hospital with intermittent chest pain and shortness of breath. What made her case stand out was her complaint of perceiving unusual odors, such as burnt objects or perfume, right before the onset of her symptoms. Over the years, her episodes of phantom smells and chest discomfort had increased in frequency. During a stress test in the hospital, the patient again experienced phantom odor perception, followed by chest discomfort and abnormal changes in her electrocardiogram (ECG), indicating stress on the heart.
Further cardiac testing, including an angiogram, revealed no significant blockages in the coronary arteries. This ruled out atherosclerosis (blockage by plaque), leading the doctors to diagnose vasospastic angina. She was treated with calcium channel blockers, which helped resolve her symptoms, and was advised to stop smoking to manage her risk factors.
Phantom Odor Perception: A Rare Symptom
Phantom odor perception, or phantosmia, is when someone smells odors that aren't present in their environment. This condition is most commonly associated with neurological disorders or olfactory dysfunction due to trauma, infection, or sinus problems. However, in this case, it was linked to heart issues, specifically vasospastic angina. Phantom odor perception in patients with vascular conditions like angina has been reported in research, with older adults and those with high blood pressure being more prone to it. In this case, the phantom smell was the woman’s first warning sign that an angina attack was imminent, highlighting a rare, but important, connection between the brain and heart.
Discussion
Vasospastic angina is a condition in which the coronary arteries spasm, leading to temporary chest pain or discomfort. Unlike traditional angina caused by blocked arteries, vasospastic angina can occur even if the coronary arteries are relatively clear. The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it's thought to result from coronary endothelial dysfunction, leading to hyperreactivity of the blood vessels.
The association between vasospastic angina and phantom odor perception, as seen in this case, is a rare phenomenon. It’s hypothesized that abnormal blood flow in the brain's olfactory centers may trigger these phantom smells, particularly in individuals with underlying vascular conditions. This could be similar to how aura (sensory disturbances) can precede migraine headaches, another vascular-related condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the case of vasospastic angina, diagnosis is often made through stress tests, ECG monitoring, and coronary angiography to rule out blockages. In this patient’s case, the presence of transient ECG changes during an anginal episode, without coronary artery blockages, confirmed the diagnosis.
Treatment typically involves calcium channel blockers to help relax the coronary arteries and prevent spasms, as well as nitrates to relieve chest pain during an episode. Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and managing risk factors like high blood pressure, are also crucial to managing the condition.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of considering atypical symptoms when diagnosing angina. Phantom odor perception, while rare, can serve as an early warning sign of a vasospastic episode, offering valuable diagnostic clues to healthcare providers. Patients presenting with unusual sensory experiences, especially older adults with vascular risk factors, should be thoroughly evaluated for underlying cardiovascular conditions. Early detection and treatment of vasospastic angina can prevent more serious complications, such as heart attacks, and improve patient outcomes.
source :- Frontiers
Introduction
Vasospastic angina, also known as Prinzmetal angina, is a rare form of chest pain caused by spasms in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. While most people associate angina with classic symptoms like chest pain, some individuals experience more unusual signs. One such case is that of a 69-year-old woman who presented with the peculiar symptom of phantom odor perception, an odd sensation of smelling something that isn’t there, right before experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This rare symptom sheds light on the complexity of vasospastic angina and its links to neurological conditions.
Case Summary
A 69-year-old woman came to the hospital with intermittent chest pain and shortness of breath. What made her case stand out was her complaint of perceiving unusual odors, such as burnt objects or perfume, right before the onset of her symptoms. Over the years, her episodes of phantom smells and chest discomfort had increased in frequency. During a stress test in the hospital, the patient again experienced phantom odor perception, followed by chest discomfort and abnormal changes in her electrocardiogram (ECG), indicating stress on the heart.
Further cardiac testing, including an angiogram, revealed no significant blockages in the coronary arteries. This ruled out atherosclerosis (blockage by plaque), leading the doctors to diagnose vasospastic angina. She was treated with calcium channel blockers, which helped resolve her symptoms, and was advised to stop smoking to manage her risk factors.
Phantom Odor Perception: A Rare Symptom
Phantom odor perception, or phantosmia, is when someone smells odors that aren't present in their environment. This condition is most commonly associated with neurological disorders or olfactory dysfunction due to trauma, infection, or sinus problems. However, in this case, it was linked to heart issues, specifically vasospastic angina. Phantom odor perception in patients with vascular conditions like angina has been reported in research, with older adults and those with high blood pressure being more prone to it. In this case, the phantom smell was the woman’s first warning sign that an angina attack was imminent, highlighting a rare, but important, connection between the brain and heart.
Discussion
Vasospastic angina is a condition in which the coronary arteries spasm, leading to temporary chest pain or discomfort. Unlike traditional angina caused by blocked arteries, vasospastic angina can occur even if the coronary arteries are relatively clear. The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it's thought to result from coronary endothelial dysfunction, leading to hyperreactivity of the blood vessels.
The association between vasospastic angina and phantom odor perception, as seen in this case, is a rare phenomenon. It’s hypothesized that abnormal blood flow in the brain's olfactory centers may trigger these phantom smells, particularly in individuals with underlying vascular conditions. This could be similar to how aura (sensory disturbances) can precede migraine headaches, another vascular-related condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the case of vasospastic angina, diagnosis is often made through stress tests, ECG monitoring, and coronary angiography to rule out blockages. In this patient’s case, the presence of transient ECG changes during an anginal episode, without coronary artery blockages, confirmed the diagnosis.
Treatment typically involves calcium channel blockers to help relax the coronary arteries and prevent spasms, as well as nitrates to relieve chest pain during an episode. Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and managing risk factors like high blood pressure, are also crucial to managing the condition.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of considering atypical symptoms when diagnosing angina. Phantom odor perception, while rare, can serve as an early warning sign of a vasospastic episode, offering valuable diagnostic clues to healthcare providers. Patients presenting with unusual sensory experiences, especially older adults with vascular risk factors, should be thoroughly evaluated for underlying cardiovascular conditions. Early detection and treatment of vasospastic angina can prevent more serious complications, such as heart attacks, and improve patient outcomes.
source :- Frontiers
Vasospastic Angina: A Rare Case of Phantom Odor Perception
Introduction
Vasospastic angina, also known as Prinzmetal angina, is a rare form of chest pain caused by spasms in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. While most people associate angina with classic symptoms like chest pain, some individuals experience more unusual signs. One such case is that of a 69-year-old woman who presented with the peculiar symptom of phantom odor perception, an odd sensation of smelling something that isn’t there, right before experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. This rare symptom sheds light on the complexity of vasospastic angina and its links to neurological conditions.
Case Summary
A 69-year-old woman came to the hospital with intermittent chest pain and shortness of breath. What made her case stand out was her complaint of perceiving unusual odors, such as burnt objects or perfume, right before the onset of her symptoms. Over the years, her episodes of phantom smells and chest discomfort had increased in frequency. During a stress test in the hospital, the patient again experienced phantom odor perception, followed by chest discomfort and abnormal changes in her electrocardiogram (ECG), indicating stress on the heart.
Further cardiac testing, including an angiogram, revealed no significant blockages in the coronary arteries. This ruled out atherosclerosis (blockage by plaque), leading the doctors to diagnose vasospastic angina. She was treated with calcium channel blockers, which helped resolve her symptoms, and was advised to stop smoking to manage her risk factors.
Phantom Odor Perception: A Rare Symptom
Phantom odor perception, or phantosmia, is when someone smells odors that aren't present in their environment. This condition is most commonly associated with neurological disorders or olfactory dysfunction due to trauma, infection, or sinus problems. However, in this case, it was linked to heart issues, specifically vasospastic angina. Phantom odor perception in patients with vascular conditions like angina has been reported in research, with older adults and those with high blood pressure being more prone to it. In this case, the phantom smell was the woman’s first warning sign that an angina attack was imminent, highlighting a rare, but important, connection between the brain and heart.
Discussion
Vasospastic angina is a condition in which the coronary arteries spasm, leading to temporary chest pain or discomfort. Unlike traditional angina caused by blocked arteries, vasospastic angina can occur even if the coronary arteries are relatively clear. The exact cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it's thought to result from coronary endothelial dysfunction, leading to hyperreactivity of the blood vessels.
The association between vasospastic angina and phantom odor perception, as seen in this case, is a rare phenomenon. It’s hypothesized that abnormal blood flow in the brain's olfactory centers may trigger these phantom smells, particularly in individuals with underlying vascular conditions. This could be similar to how aura (sensory disturbances) can precede migraine headaches, another vascular-related condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the case of vasospastic angina, diagnosis is often made through stress tests, ECG monitoring, and coronary angiography to rule out blockages. In this patient’s case, the presence of transient ECG changes during an anginal episode, without coronary artery blockages, confirmed the diagnosis.
Treatment typically involves calcium channel blockers to help relax the coronary arteries and prevent spasms, as well as nitrates to relieve chest pain during an episode. Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and managing risk factors like high blood pressure, are also crucial to managing the condition.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of considering atypical symptoms when diagnosing angina. Phantom odor perception, while rare, can serve as an early warning sign of a vasospastic episode, offering valuable diagnostic clues to healthcare providers. Patients presenting with unusual sensory experiences, especially older adults with vascular risk factors, should be thoroughly evaluated for underlying cardiovascular conditions. Early detection and treatment of vasospastic angina can prevent more serious complications, such as heart attacks, and improve patient outcomes.
source :- Frontiers
