Which term describes chest pain with exertion?

• A. Angina
• B. Dyspnea
• C. Orthostatic
• D. Syncope

Answer: (A)

Chest pain that occurs with exertion is angina. It happens when the heart’s oxygen supply can’t meet the increased demand during activity, usually due to narrowed coronary arteries. This kind of pain is typically triggered by activity or stress and improves with rest or nitroglycerin, which is why angina is the best term for chest pain brought on by exercise. Dyspnea is shortness of breath, which can accompany exertion but isn’t defined as chest pain. Orthostatic describes symptoms related to standing up and blood pressure changes, not chest pain with effort. Syncope means fainting from temporary loss of blood flow to the brain, not chest pain.