Do you have ongoing chest pains?
This site is a resource for those seeking information about ongoing chest pain without permanent narrowing of the coronary blood vessels. We anticipate that these resources will enable both patients and clinicians to facilitate an accurate diagnosis leading to more effective evidence-based treatments.
Learn More
Are you feeling dismissed?
Have you consulted with multiple doctors and healthcare professionals about your chest pains, yet haven't received any answers as to why this is occurring or how to stop it?
No, you are not alone.
These are real patients from all over the world who have shared with us their own personal stories and experiences living with Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina.
View Their Stories

Coronary Vasospasm

There are some individuals who experience angina which is not caused by blockages of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries temporarily constrict during a spasm, reducing the blood supply to the heart. The spasms are transient, coming and going, sometimes lasting for a few minutes or for much longer. These coronary vasospasms can be unprovoked occurring at rest rather than being brought on by exercise.

Microvascular Angina

Microvascular Angina (MVA) is a type of angina caused when the small blood vessels of the heart (micro vessels) do not work properly. The micro vessels are important as they supply most of the blood to the whole of the heart muscle. In Microvascular angina, these microvessels either fail to dilate, stay relaxed or constrict in temporary spasms. This is also known as Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD/CMVD) or now more commonly, Microvascular Dysfunction (MVD).

About IHSA

Who We Are

A common thought, purpose, and goal brought us together. We may have been strangers from around the world, but our paths were destined to cross. Terri Shumaker, Cindy McCall, Sarah Brown, Annette Pompa, and Lucille Dana all play such important roles as part of the IHSA team.

Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina are cardiac conditions which have changed the lives of these five ladies in different ways. Together, they created the IHSA in hopes to make a difference in people's lives.

Find out more about IHSA

Understanding the Abbreviations and Terminology Used by Clinicians

The heart is a muscle that needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. When the heart does not receive enough oxygen, a condition called myocardial ischaemia occurs. A common symptom of myocardial ischaemia is angina, which often presents as: chest pain or tightness, breathlessness, light-headedness, nausea, and/or a general sense of unease.

ANOCA

(Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries)

ANOCA refers to patients who experience angina or other symptoms related to poor blood supply to the heart without significant blockages in the coronary arteries.

INOCA

(Ischaemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries)

If tests confirm that a patient has myocardial ischaemia (lack of oxygen to heart tissue) without blocked arteries, the diagnosis becomes INOCA. INOCA is a subset of ANOCA. It is estimated that about 24% of ANOCA patients have INOCA.

NOCAD

(Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease)

NOCAD is when there is some plaque present in the coronary arteries, but the narrowing of the artery is 50% or less. NOCAD can overlap with ANOCA and INOCA.

MINOCA

(Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries)

MINOCA occurs when a person has a heart attack (myocardial infarction) without significant blockages in the coronary arteries. MINOCA accounts for approximately 10% of all heart attacks.

Get Informed

Learn all about the symptoms, causes and triggers of these heart conditions.

CORONARY VASOSPASMMICROVASCULAR ANGINA

Real Patient Stories

People from all over the world have shared with us their own personal stories and experiences living with Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina.

These are their stories.

View All Stories

Join A Support Group

Become a member of our support group and join thousands of others living with Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina. A place to ask questions, share experiences and vent about this form of misunderstood heart disease.

Vasospastic Angina & Microvascular Dysfunction Support Group

In The News

Stay informed and read about all the latest news and research articles relating to Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina.

View All Articles

A message from our founders

Educate. Inform. Enlighten.

"Because of you, we knew we had to educate. Because of you, we knew we needed to find our voice. Because of you, we knew we needed more research. And finally, because of you, this website was created out of love."

IHSA Inquiry: your heart speaks
Survey 1 Results

These results are representative of those who completed the survey prior to February 28th, 2025.

704

People have participated in this survey so far

90%

Of those who participated were female

3 in 4

Were told their symptoms were not cardiac-related

50 years

Was the average age participants received a diagnosis

Watch Featured Patient Video Stories
People from all over the world have their own personal stories and experiences living with Coronary Vasospasms and Microvascular Angina.
Watch Their Stories
Advocating for your own health
Arm yourself with knowledge. Learn as much as you can about your condition by using the resources on our website.
Learn More
Ongoing Research
Find out more information about clinical research trials currently taking place in different parts of the world.
Learn More

Get Involved

Complete our surveys

We collaborated and worked hard on these brief pointed surveys. Each survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your voice will help improve understanding of these too often misunderstood areas of heart and vascular care.

View all surveys

Partner with us

The International Heart Spasms Alliance seek to work with other organizations who share our values. With our partners, we endeavour to assure our future successful growth and further positive influence. Let us know more about your organization and how we can work together.

Partner with us

Donate

Are you ready to donate? Your donation matters more than ever! Help our organization by donating today! All donations go directly to making a difference for our cause.

Make a donation

Share your story

What’s your story? People from all over the world have shared with us their own personal stories and experiences living with Coronary Vasospasm and Microvascular Angina.

Share your story with us

IHSA is proud to have the following clinicians working with and supporting us.

“The International Heart Spasm Alliance has an important role in the management of coronary vasospasms and microvascular angina by providing helpful information to affected patients. Moreover, their activities increase community awareness of these disabling disorders, since they are more common than currently realized.”

- Prof. John Beltrame

“I support education and research to improve the wellbeing of patients with ischaemic heart disease. Coronary spasm is under-recognised and an important cause of angina and sometimes heart attack. The International Heart Spasms Alliance is a welcome development.”

- Prof. Colin Berry

Prof. John Beltrame

  Australia

Read Biography

Prof. Angela Maas

  Netherlands

Read Biography

Prof. Roxana Mehran

  United States of America

Read Biography

Prof. Noel Bairey Merz

  United States of America

Read Biography

Prof. Colin Berry

  United Kingdom

Read Biography

Prof. Amir Lerman

  United States of America

Read Biography

Prof. Javier Escaned

  Spain

Read Biography

Prof. Vijay Kunadian

  United Kingdom

Read Biography

Dr. Michel Corban

  United States of America

Read Biography

Dr. Rocco A. Montone

  Italy

Read Biography

A complete list of all the healthcare professionals which are working with and supporting IHSA is available by visiting this link.

Are you ready to contribute?

Your donation matters more than ever!

Support Our Cause

 

Help our organization by donating today! All donations go directly to making a difference for our cause.

Click here to learn more about our charitable fund.

DONATE NOW

Our Partners

IHSA is proud to have the following partners working with and supporting us.

View All Partners

Educate. Inform. Enlighten.