What type of angina occurs primarily during exercise and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin?

Stable angina is characterized by chest pain or discomfort that typically occurs during physical exertion or stress and is relieved by rest or the use of nitroglycerin. This type of angina is predictable in terms of its onset and duration. Patients with stable angina usually have a known pattern, such as experiencing chest pain after climbing stairs or engaging in vigorous activity, which provides medical professionals with crucial information for diagnosis and management.

The relief provided by rest or nitroglycerin is due to the decrease in myocardial oxygen demand during rest, or the dilation of coronary arteries that nitroglycerin induces, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. This contrasts with unstable angina, which may occur at rest and signifies a change in the pattern or severity of chest discomfort, indicating a higher risk for heart attack. Variant angina is associated with coronary artery spasm that can also occur at rest, while microvascular angina involves small vessel disease and doesn't fit the exercise-induced pattern seen in stable angina. Overall, the predictability and specific triggers of stable angina are key features that define this condition.