Endothelial Dysfunction
How We Can Help You
Endothelial dysfunction is a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in which there are no heart artery blockages, but the large blood vessels on the heart’s surface constrict (narrow) instead of dilating (opening).
This condition tends to affect more women than men and causes chronic chest pain. Because most clinics do not diagnose or treat endothelial dysfunction, people with this condition may feel frustrated and hopeless.
At Stanford’s Women’s Heart Health Clinic, our specialists actively look for endothelial dysfunction and other hard-to-detect non-obstructive coronary artery diseases. We use leading diagnostic tests to confirm an accurate diagnosis and provide experienced-based treatment approaches to ease symptoms and reduce future cardiac issues.
What We Offer You For Endothelial Dysfunction
- Nationally recognized expertise in nonobstructive coronary artery diseases, such as endothelial dysfunction, with one of the most robust programs in the U.S.
- Advanced diagnostic tests that can determine the function of the coronary arteries and give a specific diagnosis for this hard-to-detect disease.
- Comprehensive treatment options, including medication and one of the country’s most advanced behavior modification programs for people with heart disease.
- Team-based approach that brings together cardiologists, psychologists, dietitians, and other specialists to create a care plan tailored to your needs.
- Robust support services including mindfulness classes and nutrition counseling to help people with heart disease make healthy lifestyle changes.
- Active research program with an extensive, ongoing patient registry that contributes to our understanding of this and other little-known heart conditions.
Treatment for Endothelial Dysfunction
At our Women’s Heart Health Clinic, we frequently see women with chest pain but no physical blockages of the arteries. We conduct thorough diagnostic tests to determine if they have nonobstructive coronary artery disease, including endothelial dysfunction.
We listen to your concerns and evaluate your entire coronary circulation. Once we confirm a diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction, we discuss the treatment options that most suit your needs.
Our approach to treatment includes:
Stanford has one of the country’s most comprehensive programs for treating nonobstructive coronary artery disease.
Lifestyle Modification
To manage endothelial dysfunction and prevent it from getting worse, your doctor talks with you about making lifestyle changes. You may need to:
- Eat more healthfully
- Lose weight
- Stop smoking
- Reduce stress
- Start exercising
Our behavioral psychologists and other specialists in our Cardiac Behavioral Medicine Program support you in making these changes. They, along with your provider, meet with you regularly to help you manage endothelial dysfunction.
Exercise Counseling
The chest pain from endothelial dysfunction may flare up when exercising, yet exercise is an important part of managing symptoms and preventing the condition from getting worse. We show you ways to modify your exercise routine. We encourage you to exercise up to the point of discomfort, then ease up, and once your symptoms improve, continue.
Stress Management
Stress can make the chest pain from endothelial dysfunction worse. Our behavioral therapists teach you mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques to help you manage stress and chest pain.
Medication
In combination with healthy lifestyle changes, our providers may prescribe one or more medications. They will find the right dosage for you and help manage any possible side effects. Drugs they prescribe may include:
- Nitrates: These drugs help to open constricted blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart and minimizes chest pain.
- Calcium channel blockers: These medications help relax and widen blood vessels.
- Statins: These drugs may help repair the endothelium. They also reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, which helps to prevent plaque build-up.
- Aspirin: Aspirin may prevent blood clots, which can cause a heart attack. Aspirin may also help the damaged endothelium cells to heal.
The specialists at Stanford check in with you regularly to see how you are responding to the treatment plan and adjust it as necessary to help you feel your best.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
We have ongoing enrollment in a registry of patients who have nonobstructive coronary artery disease, which helps us understand endothelial dysfunction and other hidden causes of chest pain.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact CT CONTACT NAME and Phone NUMBER
What Is Endothelial Dysfunction?
Our Clinics
We provide exceptional heart care that starts with understanding that women’s bodies have different health needs. We treat the whole woman, using evidence-based approaches to prevent and treat heart disease, including conditions like endothelial dysfunction, that mainly affect women.
2nd Fl Rm A260
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-725-5909 Getting Here
To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6459