What is angina pectoris?

What is angina pectoris?

• A. Heart pain during rest
• B. Heart pain during strenuous activity, usually felt on the left side of the chest, left arm, or jaw
• C. Numbness in feet
• D. Shortness of breath at rest only

Answer: (B)

Angina pectoris is chest discomfort caused by a temporary mismatch between the heart’s oxygen demand and its blood supply. It most often appears during exertion or stress when the heart needs more oxygen, but the coronary arteries can’t supply enough. The hallmark is heart pain or pressure behind the chest that radiates to the left side of the chest, the left arm, or the jaw. This pain is typically relieved by rest and often by nitroglycerin. Pain at rest or numbness in the feet aren’t typical angina patterns and suggest other conditions.

Angina pectoris is chest discomfort caused by a temporary mismatch between the heart’s oxygen demand and its blood supply. It most often appears during exertion or stress when the heart needs more oxygen, but the coronary arteries can’t supply enough. The hallmark is heart pain or pressure behind the chest that radiates to the left side of the chest, the left arm, or the jaw. This pain is typically relieved by rest and often by nitroglycerin. Pain at rest or numbness in the feet aren’t typical angina patterns and suggest other conditions.