Vascular spasm
Key points
- A vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of a blood vessel.
- Symptoms can sometimes be relieved by the use of medications that help relax the blood vessels.
- Vascular spasms can temporarily reduce blood flow to tissues supplied by that vessel.
Definition
A vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of a blood vessel. Vascular spasms can temporarily reduce blood flow to tissues supplied by that vessel.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain. Other symptoms are caused by lack of proper circulation and vary depending on the specific organ affected:
- When the spasm affects circulation in a limb, there may be pallor and a sensation of cold in that arm or leg. Limb function and movement will be impaired.
- When the spasm affects circulation in the heart, there may be symptoms similar to a heart attack and irregular heartbeats.
Signs and tests
These vary depending on the affected organ.
Treatment
Symptoms can sometimes be relieved by the use of medications that help relax the blood vessels.
Frequently asked questions
What is vascular spasm?
A vascular spasm is a sudden, brief tightening of a blood vessel. Vascular spasms can temporarily reduce blood flow to tissues supplied by that vessel.
What are the symptoms of vascular spasm?
The most common symptom is pain. Other symptoms are caused by lack of proper circulation and vary depending on the specific organ affected:
- When the spasm affects circulation in a limb, there may be pallor and a sensation of cold in that arm or leg. Limb function and movement will be impaired.
- When the spasm affects circulation in the heart, there may be symptoms similar to a heart attack and irregular heartbeats.
How is vascular spasm treated?
Symptoms can sometimes be relieved by the use of medications that help relax the blood vessels.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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