New OU Health technology helping doctors diagnose heart disease

Thousands of Oklahomans suffer from unexplained chest pain despite receiving normal heart results, health experts say, but a new diagnostic tool at OU Health could give patients some answers.

OU Health doctors say the new tool, known as Coroflow, can identify coronary microvascular disease (MVD), which affects the heart's smallest blood vessels and can cause serious complications if left untreated.

What Is Coroflow?

While traditional tests only show results for certain blood vessels and veins, Coroflow targets nearly the entire heart for blockages.

"The study showed that identification of this disease has been missed several times before patients come to us," Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Mohit Pahuja said. "Many of these people are considered psych patients, and it's very common in females."

What kind of risks are there for coronary microvascular disease?

According to the American Heart Association, people who live with the highest risk factors of coronary MVD include people with unhealthy blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes or those who have an unhealthy diet.

The AHA says symptoms include shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue, and lack of energy.

Older women who are experiencing menopause also have a higher chance of being diagnosed with the condition, Pahuja said.

Is There Any Form Of Treatment

Thanks to Coroflow, doctors at OU Health can properly diagnose and treat coronary MVD.

According to the AHA, treatment for coronary MVD includes medication and in some cases, surgery.