MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vascular spasm

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Vascular spasm

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment

Illustrations

Circulatory system

Definition Return to top

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 Return to top

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 Return to top

These vary depending on the affected organ.

Treatment Return to top

Symptoms can sometimes be relieved by the use of medications that help relax the blood vessels.

Update Date: 12/23/2002

Updated by: Elena Sgarbossa, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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