Lifestyle Health Programs for Microvascular Dysfunction

A new era for microvascular dysfunction.

Innovative lifestyle health programs specifically designed for women living with CMD.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a debilitating heart condition and disproportionately affects women, especially those aged 45 to 65 years. Chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and worsening life quality are common. Medical treatment and risk modification are standard. However, emerging research has highlighted that tailored and evidence-informed lifestyle health programs, used alongside medical care, can help.(1) And now that’s a reality. Vitality-CMD is a lifestyle-health program designed specifically for CMD. Evidence-informed. Tailored to your condition. Designed to complement your medical care.

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Chest Pain

CMD Insights

More Common in Women

CMD disproportionately affects women, particularly those post-menopause.(4)

Often Missed by Standard Tests

Traditional angiograms can appear normal with CMD.(5)

Lifestyle Health Programs

Tailored programs support symptom management and quality of life.(3)

Real Symptoms, Real Challenges

Chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue are common symptoms.(6)


CMD Terminology - INOCA, ANOCA, MVA

Coronary Microvascular dysfunction is part of a broader condition known as INOCA - Ischemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (INOCA). It’s sometimes referred to as microvascular angina (MVA) or Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (ANOCA).

A Range of Experiences

What many women with CMD experience

If you're living with CMD, you may relate to the experiences below. Understanding you're not alone can be a relief and offers a pathway to finding additional support and resources.

The Diagnostic Journey

Many women describe years of tests and investigations before receiving a CMD diagnosis. This can be emotionally and physically exhausting, though medical understanding of CMD continues to improve.(2)(6)

Daily Uncertainty

Living with chest pain or other symptoms can create uncertainty. Concerns about triggering symptoms may lead to reduced activity, which can negatively impact overall cardiovascular health.(7)

Limited Treatment Options

Medication can help manage symptoms for some, but many women seek additional lifestyle-based modalities to support their health and wellbeing.(3)

Seeking Understanding

Traditional cardiac care works well for obstructive heart disease but wasn't designed with CMD in mind. While awareness is growing among healthcare providers, some women still feel their experiences aren't fully understood.(5)

Evidence Informed Lifestyle Health

The Vitality-CMD program

While we don't treat CMD medically, we provide evidence-informed lifestyle health programs that complement medical care. We tailor health practices to support microvascular function, symptom management, and quality of life.(8)

INOCA Lifestyle Health Program
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Lifestyle Health Program
INOCA Lifestyle Health Program
Microvascular Angina Lifestyle Health Program

Rest & Regulation

The stress response can impact microvascular function and sleep quality is important for cardiovascular health. We use techniques to support nervous system regulation, sleep patterns, and recovery.(10)

Air, Water, Food

Breathing function can impact blood pressure, vascular function, and the stress response. We assess and train breathing function to improve overall vascular function.(9)

Community & Change

Connect with other women who understand what you're experiencing. Shared social connections and experience provide ongoing support for positive health changes.(12)

Mind, Movement, & Muscle

Optimise your day-to-day and week-to-week activity to increase your overall physical and mental wellbeing, as well as your health profile.(11)

! Important: We complement, not replace, medical care.

Novara provides lifestyle health programs, not medical treatment. Our programs work alongside your cardiologist and GP, never instead of them. Please continue with your medical care. Individual results may vary.

Join Our Founding Cohorts in Dublin, London, & Glasgow

Vitality-CMD, 3-month lifestyle health program

As a founding member, you receive early-bird pricing and the opportunity to help shape the program.

Dublin cohort, starts Saturday 28th March

Limited spaces available.

Join our comprehensive 3-month program. The program begins with a full-day in-person session in Dublin, followed by 6 virtual sessions over the subsequent months. We cover a range of health-based modalities includes health-based assessments, and targeted mind-body practices for CMD. The program has been specifically designed to support vascular health and wellbeing.(3)

  • 3-month program

  • Full-day in-person (program start)

  • 6 virtual sessions

  • Health-based assessments

  • Structured evidence-informed modalities

  • Group practices & shared learning

  • Community building and support

  • Women only cohort

  • Early Bird Pricing: €1195 (Reg. €1495).

    Irish customers may be eligible for 20% tax relief on program fees - see FAQ.

Vitality-CMD Lifestyle Program

Dublin, 28th March, 2026

Program Kick-Off

North Dublin venue — full details on registration.

 

Coming Soon!

Vitality-CMD London, Spring / Summer 2026

Vitality-CMD Glasgow, Spring / Summer 2026

Ciaran Byrne - Novara Founder

Ciarán Byrne is a Sport & Exercise Scientist with postgraduate qualifications in Physiology and Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology, as well as a certified Oxygen Advantage Advanced Instructor. He spent over two decades in industry with a significant focus on medical technology, leading global launches of vascular and clinical innovations, before founding Novara to address an unmet need he saw - women with CMD had no dedicated lifestyle health solution alongside their medical care. His work bridges the gap between the science of vascular health and practical, evidence-informed programming designed specifically for women living with microvascular dysfunction.

“Our mission is to deliver innovative and evidence-informed lifestyle health solutions that empower people to pursue long-lasting health and quality of life.”

— Ciarán Byrne, Founder. BSc, MSc, MSc, Cert. OA.

CMD Lifestyle Program Founder

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Our programs are designed to complement your medical care. The health-based modalities we incorporate into our programs have evidence suggesting they can support symptom management in CMD.(3)(8) Cardiologist or GP clearance is required prior to program participation. We always recommend continuing with your cardiologist and medical team.

  • These terms overlap. INOCA (Ischaemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) and ANOCA (Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries) are broader diagnostic categories, and CMD - or microvascular angina (MVA) - is a specific form within that group. If you've received any of these diagnoses, Novara's programs are designed with you in mind.

  • You can still participate while seeking diagnosis. Our lifestyle health programs support vascular health regardless of formal diagnosis. We do require cardiologist or GP clearance prior to participation. We encourage continuing to work with your medical team for formal diagnosis.(8)

  • Possibly yes. Research suggests that the majority of HFpEF patients have underlying coronary microvascular dysfunction, meaning the lifestyle health practices in Vitality-CMD may be relevant to your care. Participation requires clearance and referral from your cardiologist, who can assess your suitability. We welcome the conversation - please ask your cardiologist or contact our team directly.

  • We recognise that VSA and CMD frequently co-exist, and that women living with both conditions often have limited structured support beyond medication.

    At this stage, Vitality-CMD has been designed primarily for women with CMD and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). If you have a confirmed VSA diagnosis alongside CMD, we ask that you discuss participation with your cardiologist before applying. Where your cardiologist confirms your condition is stable and well-managed, we review your case for participation. Participant safety is our priority.

    We are actively working to develop a more structured pathway for women with VSA - if you would like to be kept informed, please register your interest by contacting our team.

    This is not a program for unstable or uncontrolled vasospastic angina.

  • Yes - and we actively welcome this. Cardiologists or GPs can refer patients via our dedicated referral form on the Refer Patients page. We do not replace medical care and maintain a clear scope of practice.

  • Yes. While the program kicks off with a full-day in-person session in Dublin, the remaining 6 sessions are delivered virtually, so participants from across Ireland and beyond are welcome. We're also planning cohorts in London and Glasgow. If travel isn't possible, contact us to discuss options.

  • No. We never claim to cure, treat, or heal any medical condition. However, evidence suggests active engagement in lifestyle programs may support symptom management, and may also enhance quality of life. Individual results may vary.(8)

  • Cardiac rehabilitation is typically a clinical program following a cardiac event e.g. a heart attack.

    The Novara Vitality-CMD program serves women who have chest pain and heart symptoms but whose arteries are not fully blocked. Our program could be considered a pre-cardiac rehab program or an alternative to parts of the cardiac rehab experience. The program is uniquely designed around the physiology and experiences of women's vascular health, with a focus on microvascular conditions.

    We incorporate specific modalities not often included in cardiac rehab programs.(8)(13)(14)

  • Participants are advised to contact their medical team immediately if symptoms change during the program.

  • Research suggests that a large portion of patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) have underlying microvascular dysfunction - highlighting the broader importance of supporting microvascular health early. Consult your physician - you may be eligible to participate in the program.