HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — A new test at UNC Health Pardee is helping find heart issues that are often missed during standard examinations.
Courtney Pace, an avid runner who usually jogs a few miles a day, experienced chest pain last year that made even walking difficult.
“It felt like I was having chest pain, it would go down my arm, it felt like a heart attack,” Pace said.
She went to the emergency room and had an electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG. The test measures the heart’s electrical activity to diagnose arrhythmias, heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. But the results were normal.
“I left crying,” Pace said.
The pain continued, so she went back. This time she saw interventional cardiologist Dr. Vincent Gacad with UNC Health Pardee.
Detecting problems in the smallest blood vessels
“Traditionally, when we see chest pain we think about coronary artery disease or large vessel blockage,” Gacad said.
Pace didn’t have blockage in her coronary artery, which is why it didn’t show up on an EKG. Instead, she had spasms and dysfunction in the heart’s smallest blood vessels. This was detected thanks to a new microvascular test.
“It’s relatively new. It’s usually in big academic centers in large cities. We are one of the first centers in North Carolina to do it,” Gacad said.
The test works by administering contrast material to the patient to see how the small vessels react to stress. A catheter is also inserted into the coronary arteries to measure blood flow. The test takes about 45 minutes.
“By the time patients leave the post op area, they have their medication adjusted for their specific situation,” Gacad said.
Patient returns to active lifestyle
Thanks to her treatment plan, Pace is feeling better.
“I just got into more of a walk run, this weekend I did two miles, so I am starting to pick up the pace and get back into it,” Pace said.
The treatment is allowing her to live her life again.
“Being active and playing with my kids without feeling like I am going to fall over from a heart attack,” Pace said.
The test is available at UNC Health Pardee in Hendersonville. Patients wondering if it’s available in their area should check with their doctor.
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