Podcast Corazón Mundial

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María Jorge

Paciente con espasmo arterial coronario, disfunción microvascular y angina de pecho

Chandrima Ghosh

Paciente diagnosticado de angina espástica y complicaciones del ritmo cardiaco

In this episode of the Global Heart Podcast, hosts Shreya Shrikhande and Sean Taylor speak with Maria George and Chandrima Ghosh, two patients living with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, including coronary artery spasm and microvascular angina. They share their powerful personal journeys through years of unexplained symptoms, repeated emergency visits, and delayed diagnoses—illustrating how these under-recognized forms of angina are often misunderstood or dismissed.

The conversation highlights the daily realities of managing chronic angina: identifying and avoiding triggers, coping with the emotional and social impact, navigating inconsistent clinical understanding, and relying on peer communities for support. Their stories underscore the urgent need for greater awareness, improved diagnostic pathways, and stronger recognition of non-obstructive coronary artery disease across healthcare systems.

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Principales conclusiones:

The Invisible Face of Angina:
Angina symptoms are often misunderstood—especially in women and younger patients. Far from the classic “chest-clutching” stereotype, symptoms can include jaw, back, arm, or neck pain, fatigue, and sudden weakness. These non-typical presentations frequently lead to misdiagnosis or dismissal.

A Long Road to Diagnosis:
Both patients experienced significant delays—ranging from months to years—before being correctly diagnosed. Inadequate understanding among clinicians, lack of appropriate testing for non-obstructive coronary conditions, and repeated emergency visits with no resolution were common.

Living with Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease:
Conditions like coronary artery spasm and microvascular angina are under-recognized forms of heart disease. Despite normal angiograms, these patients suffer from recurring and debilitating chest pain, fatigue, and fainting episodes. Correct diagnosis often requires persistence, research, and specialist referral.

Beyond Medication—Managing Triggers and Loss:
There is no “cure” for this type of angina—only ongoing management. Patients must adapt their lives around triggers like stress, cold, or even emotional excitement. Many report a profound impact on their independence, social life, and mental health, describing the experience as “grieving the life you expected to have.”

Mental Health and Support Matter:
Anxiety, PTSD, and social isolation are common consequences of living with chronic angina. Patients emphasized the importance of peer support groups and online communities for both emotional resilience and practical advice—validating the lived experience of what is often an invisible disease.

Llamamiento a la acción:

• Clínico: Mejorar la concienciación y la formación sobre la enfermedad coronaria no obstructiva entre los médicos de cabecera, el personal de urgencias y los cardiólogos.
• Salud pública: Promover una educación sobre las cardiopatías que tenga en cuenta el género y los síntomas para reducir el infradiagnóstico en las mujeres y los jóvenes.
• Policy: Integrate non-obstructive angina into cardiovascular guidelines, ensuring access to specialized diagnostics, treatment, and tailored rehabilitation programs.

Manténgase informado

Obtenga más información sobre la angina de pecho y otras afecciones cardiovasculares poco reconocidas en la Federación Mundial del Corazón.

Subscribe to the Global Heart Podcast for firsthand stories and expert insights.