During treatment for cardiac syndrome X, a physician will typically reassure patients that their condition is not dangerous. Chest pain can be a frightening condition, which may lead to elevated stress levels. It is important for patients with cardiac syndrome X to understand that their condition is not damaging their heart or life-threatening.

Studies have shown no or very minimal elevated risk of heart attack or heart disease due to cardiac syndrome X even after following patients for almost a decade. Additionally, studies have confirmed the positive health benefits of reassurance to patients who might be tempted to feel stress over their chest pain.

Beyond reassurance, the physician might prescribe certain medications to reduce or relive the chest pain:

• Beta blockers slow the heart’s resting rate, as well as the rate during exercise, reduce the force of heart muscle contraction, thus lessening the heart’s workload.
  
  
• Nitrates widen, or dilate, the walls of the blood vessels, allowing more blood (and therefore oxygen) to reach the heart. Nitrates have been found to relieve the symptoms of only 40 to 50 percent of cardiac syndrome X patients.
  
  
• Calcium channel blockers (calcium antagonists) inhibit the influx of calcium into the cells. This reduces the concentration of calcium, which opens the coronary arteries and increases the heart’s blood flow. Calcium antagonists appear to be effective for many cardiac syndrome X patients.
  
  
• Hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed for postmenopausal women. These medications are typically a form of estrogen and/or progestin and can be taken in a variety of forms, such as pills or skin patches. The relative risks and benefits of long-term use of HRT in cardiac syndrome X patients are unknown.
  
  
• ACE inhibitors and statins may be prescribed in tandem. One small study has shown that the combination of these medications may improve cardiac blood flow and reduce symptoms of cardiac syndrome X, although exactly why is not fully understood.
  
  
• Imipramine therapy may be used to control the chest pain. Imipramine is typically used to manage chronic pain and has been shown to reduce the pain associated with cardiac syndrome X.
  
  
• Exercise may be recommended to reduce the symptoms and improve the patient’s physical conditioning. Some studies have suggested that cardiac syndrome X is linked with poor physical conditioning.

Due to the unpredictable nature of cardiac syndrome X, patients should be prepared to undergo trial-and-error treatments to find the one that produces the best result.

While not enough is known about cardiac syndrome X to list specific prevention techniques, adopting heart-healthy habits can be a good start. These include monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure levels, maintaining a low-fat diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, avoiding recreational drugs, and moderating alcohol intake. Patients should consult their physician before beginning a diet and/or exercise program.

Early studies suggest that individuals with cardiac syndrome X have no higher risk of suffering a heart attack or dying from cardiovascular conditions. However, the syndrome can negatively affect the quality of life. Chest pain may continue despite attempts at treatment, resulting in higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression among cardiac X syndrome patients.