Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

How does chest pain in stable angina typically present?

1. Suddenly with intense pain

2. Gradually with increasing intensity

3. Only during resting periods

4. As a constant ache

The correct answer is: Gradually with increasing intensity

In stable angina, chest pain typically presents gradually with increasing intensity, which reflects the predictable pattern of the condition. Stable angina occurs when there is a consistent reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle during periods of physical exertion or emotional stress due to coronary artery disease. As a person engages in these activities, the heart requires more oxygen, but the narrowed arteries cannot supply enough, leading to the gradual onset of chest pain. This pain usually starts as a mild sensation that intensifies progressively, often described as a pressure or squeezing feeling in the chest. The gradual nature of the pain allows individuals to recognize the symptoms and often predict when they may occur. Patients can frequently manage their symptoms by stopping the activity or using nitroglycerin, which aids in relieving the pain. The other descriptions do not align with typical presentations of stable angina. Sudden, intense pain is more characteristic of unstable angina or myocardial infarction, while experiencing pain only at rest or as a constant ache may indicate different underlying pathologies or unstable coronary artery conditions. Thus, the gradual increase in intensity is a key feature that helps distinguish stable angina from other forms of chest pain.