Which statement correctly describes angina?

Which statement correctly describes angina?

• A. Angina pain is typically relieved by rest
• B. Angina pain is not related to exertion
• C. Angina results in tissue death
• D. Angina pain lasts days

Answer: (A)

Angina is chest discomfort caused by transient myocardial ischemia—the heart temporarily isn’t getting enough oxygen, usually because the oxygen demand rises with activity or stress and atherosclerotic vessels can’t supply enough blood. The hallmark is that this pain is typically relieved by rest or by nitroglycerin, which lowers the heart’s oxygen needs and improves blood flow. The ischemia is reversible, unlike a heart attack, where tissue dies from prolonged lack of oxygen. Angina episodes are usually brief, lasting minutes, not days. So the statement that best describes angina is that the pain is typically relieved by rest.

Angina is chest discomfort caused by transient myocardial ischemia—the heart temporarily isn’t getting enough oxygen, usually because the oxygen demand rises with activity or stress and atherosclerotic vessels can’t supply enough blood. The hallmark is that this pain is typically relieved by rest or by nitroglycerin, which lowers the heart’s oxygen needs and improves blood flow. The ischemia is reversible, unlike a heart attack, where tissue dies from prolonged lack of oxygen. Angina episodes are usually brief, lasting minutes, not days. So the statement that best describes angina is that the pain is typically relieved by rest.