Treatment of the hypertensive patient with microvascular angina

Syndrome X and microvascular angina are a heterogenous group of diseases. S everal medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, bet a-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, have been reported to be successf ul in the treatment of microvascular angina. Control of hypertension and re gression of left ventricular hypertrophy are important in controlling sympt oms associated with this intriguing problem. The role of nitric oxide and t he effects of L-arginine in the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension and microvascular angina need to be elucidated. Optimal treatment will depe nd on the appropriate classification and diagnosis of chest pain in patient s with hypertension and normal coronary angiograms. Curr Opin Cardiol 1999, 14:370-374 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.