What characterizes stable angina?

Stable angina is primarily characterized by chest pain that is predictably brought on by physical exertion or emotional stress and typically alleviated by rest or the use of nitroglycerin. This pattern indicates that the heart is not receiving enough oxygenated blood during increased physical demands, such as exercise.

The pain associated with stable angina generally lasts a short duration and subdues once the stressful activity is ceased or after nitroglycerin is administered, which dilates the blood vessels and enhances blood flow to the heart muscle. This predictable pattern distinguishes stable angina from other conditions, such as unstable angina or myocardial infarction, where pain may occur at rest or last considerably longer.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the characteristics of stable angina: chest pain at rest suggests unstable angina; chest pain from coronary artery spasm aligns more with variant angina; and pain lasting longer than 30 minutes could indicate a myocardial infarction rather than stable angina. Understanding these distinctions is key for identifying and managing angina in a clinical setting.