Half of Patients Misdiagnosed with Angina, Study Reveals

A recent study has unveiled that approximately half of individuals experiencing angina-like chest pain are misdiagnosed. Conducted with **250 patients** in the United Kingdom, the research reveals a significant gap in the identification of **microvascular angina**, a condition often overlooked in initial assessments. The findings were published in the journal **Nature Medicine** and funded by the **British Heart Foundation**.

Angina, characterized by pain or tightness in the chest due to reduced blood flow to the heart, can escalate into a medical emergency if unstable. In this study, patients reported chest pain indicative of potential angina but were initially cleared after standard scans. Further investigation through an **MRI scan** disclosed that **51%** of these individuals actually had microvascular angina, which is caused by tiny blood vessels not visible in conventional coronary angiograms.

Need for Enhanced Diagnostic Techniques

To address the issue of misdiagnosis, the researchers recommend the implementation of blood flow scans alongside angiograms for patients suffering from unexplained chest pain. Despite the potential benefits, many areas in the UK do not currently provide access to these advanced diagnostic tools.

Professor **Colin Berry**, the lead author of the study from the **University of Glasgow**, emphasized the necessity of additional testing. He stated, “Further tests like the scan we used could help to reveal thousands more people with microvascular angina in the UK every year.” He also highlighted that the condition is particularly under-diagnosed in women, leading to a cycle of repeated doctor visits for continuing symptoms.

Microvascular angina can be challenging to diagnose, previously referred to as “cardiac syndrome X” due to the lack of visible blockages in coronary arteries. Recent discoveries have clarified that the condition stems from arteries within the heart muscle that measure less than half a millimeter in diameter.

Impact on Patients’ Lives

**Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan**, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist, pointed out the real implications of coronary microvascular dysfunction, particularly among women. She noted, “It can have a serious impact on people’s everyday lives, as they struggle with chest pain and breathlessness, and is often misunderstood.”

Many patients go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, as the nuances of inadequate blood supply in small coronary blood vessels are often missed. Dr Babu-Narayan stressed that this study demonstrates the need for improved diagnostic protocols, stating, “Having heart MRI tests improved chest pain diagnosis, which in turn led to changes in treatment and better health.”

The study also indicated that some patients opted to modify their treatment plans after being diagnosed with microvascular angina. Those who chose to change their management experienced a notable reduction in the frequency of their chest pain, allowing them to engage more comfortably in daily activities.

As the research highlights the pressing need for better diagnostic methods, it opens the door for a significant shift in how chest pain is evaluated and treated, potentially improving outcomes for thousands of patients struggling with this often-misunderstood condition.