Angina pectoris is typically triggered by which situation?

Angina pectoris is typically triggered by which situation?

• A. Onset during rest
• B. Onset with physical activity
• C. Onset after meals
• D. Onset during sleep

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that angina pectoris arises when the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen to meet the needs of increased activity. The most common trigger is physical exertion, because exercise raises heart rate and blood pressure, which increases the heart’s oxygen demand. If the coronary arteries are narrowed from atherosclerosis, they can’t deliver more blood to meet that demand, so the myocardium becomes ischemic and produces chest discomfort. Rest or taking nitroglycerin typically relieves the pain because both reduce oxygen demand or improve blood flow, respectively, restoring the balance. Other scenarios aren’t the typical trigger. Pain beginning at rest can point to unstable angina or a coronary vasospasm; after meals or during sleep can occur but are less characteristic and often point to different patterns of demand or other cardiac or non-cardiac causes.

The main idea is that angina pectoris arises when the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen to meet the needs of increased activity. The most common trigger is physical exertion, because exercise raises heart rate and blood pressure, which increases the heart’s oxygen demand. If the coronary arteries are narrowed from atherosclerosis, they can’t deliver more blood to meet that demand, so the myocardium becomes ischemic and produces chest discomfort.

Rest or taking nitroglycerin typically relieves the pain because both reduce oxygen demand or improve blood flow, respectively, restoring the balance.

Other scenarios aren’t the typical trigger. Pain beginning at rest can point to unstable angina or a coronary vasospasm; after meals or during sleep can occur but are less characteristic and often point to different patterns of demand or other cardiac or non-cardiac causes.