Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise Therapy for Women With ANOCA

This study explores if a type of exercise, called resistance training, can help women who experience chest pain (angina) but don't have blockages in their heart arteries, a condition known as ANOCA. Currently, there aren't many good treatments for ANOCA, and it's much more common in women, though past research often focused on men. Recent health guidance suggests resistance exercise can be good for heart health. This study will involve at least 76 women across hospitals in the UK and Netherlands. It aims to see if an exercise programme can reduce ANOCA symptoms, hoping to offer a new, non-drug treatment option. Everyone taking part will eventually get the exercise programme.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Enrolment target

Start

14 Sep 2026

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2029

Angina Patients With Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

What is this study about?

Imagine you're getting chest pain, like a tightness or discomfort, but when doctors check, your main heart arteries aren't blocked. This condition is called ANOCA (Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries). It can be quite tricky to treat because we don't have many specific studies on it, especially in women. This is important because women are twice as likely as men to experience ANOCA, yet historically, most heart research has focused on men.

Recently, major heart health organisations have highlighted that resistance exercise – the kind that builds muscle strength – is really good for your heart and overall health. However, no one has properly looked at whether this type of exercise can specifically help women with ANOCA. This study aims to fill that gap. It will involve women from around 13 hospitals in the UK and the Netherlands, with the goal of understanding if a special resistance exercise programme can improve their ANOCA symptoms.

This particular study is part of a larger effort to better understand and treat ANOCA in women. We're also working on other studies looking at potential medications and ways to diagnose ANOCA more precisely. The hope is that this exercise study will lead to new, non-drug ways for women to manage their ANOCA, giving them more choices for treatment.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on women with ANOCA (chest pain without blocked arteries).
It tests if resistance exercise can help improve ANOCA symptoms.
Women are much more likely to have ANOCA than men, but often overlooked in research.
All participants will eventually receive the exercise programme.
This study aims to offer new, non-drug treatment options for ANOCA.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for women who experience angina (chest pain or discomfort) but have been told they don't have blocked heart arteries (this is called ANOCA). You would also need to have had specific heart tests within the last three years that show information about your heart's blood flow.

To join, your angina symptoms shouldn't be too mild. There are also some checks on your activity levels. You must be over 18 years old and be able to understand and agree to take part in the study. You cannot be pregnant.

Finally, if you are already regularly doing resistance exercises (like lifting weights or using resistance bands), you wouldn't be able to join this particular study. This is because the study wants to see the effect of starting a new resistance exercise programme, rather than continuing an existing one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman who experiences chest pain (angina)?
Have doctors told you that your heart arteries are not blocked?
Have you had special heart blood flow tests in the last three years?
Are you generally able to do physical activity?
Are you happy to try a new exercise programme?
Are you not currently doing resistance exercises regularly?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be offered a resistance-based exercise programme. The study uses a "randomised wait list control" design. This means that everyone will eventually get the exercise programme, but a computer will randomly decide whether you start it immediately or after a waiting period. You will likely have regular contact with the study team to track your progress and symptoms. Specific details about the length of the exercise programme, how often you'd exercise, and follow-up appointments will be explained by the study team. The overall duration you participate in the study will be clearly outlined.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer you the potential benefit of improving your ANOCA symptoms through a structured exercise programme, which could be a new, non-drug approach. Resistance exercise is generally considered safe and beneficial for heart health, but like any exercise, there's a small risk of muscle soreness or minor injury. The study team will provide guidance to minimise these risks. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (11)

Basildon University Hospital
Verified postcode
Basildon, United Kingdom
Royal United Hospital Bath
Verified postcode
Bath, United Kingdom
Royal Papworth Hospital
Verified postcode
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Clinical Research Facility
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Leeds General Infirmary
Verified postcode
Leeds, United Kingdom
Brompton Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
Guy and St Thomas Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
Kings College Hospital
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom
Freeman Hospital
Verified postcode
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Nottingham City Hospital
Verified postcode
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Sunderland Royal hospital
Verified postcode
Sunderland, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is ANOCA?

ANOCA is chest pain (angina) that happens even when your main heart arteries are not blocked. It's more common in women.

What is resistance exercise?

Resistance exercise is any exercise that makes your muscles work against a weight or force, like lifting weights or using resistance bands, which helps build strength.

Will I definitely get the exercise programme?

Yes, everyone in the study will eventually get to do the resistance exercise programme, though some might start it later than others.

How long will the study last for me?

The study team will explain the exact timeframe for your participation, including the exercise programme and any follow-up checks.

Is this the only study for ANOCA?

No, this exercise study is part of a larger set of studies looking at ANOCA, including ones for potential medications and improved diagnosis.

How to find out more

Clare Dolan

clare.dolan3@nhs.scot 0141 314 4328 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.