Myocardial bridges may be asymptomatic or may present with chest pain, chest tightness, and other signs of myocardial ischemia. Severe discomfort requires prompt pharmacologic or surgical intervention.
Symptoms of myocardial bridges are variable and depend on the severity of the disease. In mild cases, myocardial bridges may remain unremarkable throughout life, with only a typical transient systolic coronary artery stenosis detected on cardiac imaging.
If myocardial bridge compression symptoms are severe, resulting in myocardial ischemia, it may cause angina-like symptoms, such as anterior heart pain and palpitations. Prompt treatment is needed for such myocardial bridges.
Treatment includes the use of medications such as metoprolol and verapamil to reduce myocardial contractility and slow the heart rate, thereby improving symptoms. If not well controlled by medication, treatment may include surgery to release the bridge.
If symptoms of myocardial ischemia such as chest pain or chest tightness occur, prompt hospitalization is recommended. The above drugs need to be used under the guidance of clinicians.