Unlike many of the coronary conditions that afflict adults, non-obstructive coronary disease does not manifest with blockages along the arterial walls, but does present chest pain. This lack of blockage in the arteries can lead to the false conclusion that the condition is not serious.

Etiology

As of 2010, the etiology or reason for non-obstructive coronary disease remains undetermined. An article published in the January 2005 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" puts forth the possibility that the condition is caused by a problem with the cells that line the interior of the arteries.

Symptoms

Non-obstructive coronary disease has only one defining symptom: chest pain. The pain may appear as angina, with radiating pain or a squeezing sensation, but can also be a generalized pain.

Treatment

As the condition has long been considered low risk, the only consistent treatment route was to do nothing. The January 2005 JAMA article takes a different stance and recommends the use of statin drugs, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and beta blockers.

Long Term

In an article in the June 2006 issue of the "European Heart Journal," researchers at the University of Bologna, in Italy, published research that asserts that the condition is not as low risk as it was once thought and, in fact, that people with non-obstructive coronary disease are also in a high-risk category for later cardiac events.

Risks Greatest for Women

According to the JAMA article, women---particularly those who are not Caucasian---are at greatest risk for developing the condition.

Source:

European Heart Journal: "Women, 'Non-Specific' Chest Pain, and Normal or Near-Normal Coronary Angiograms are not Synonymous with Favourable Outcome"

Journal of the American Medical Association: "Angina With 'Normal' Coronary Arteries: A Changing Philosophy"