Which statement best describes unstable angina?

Which statement best describes unstable angina?

• A. It occurs only during strenuous exercise.
• B. It can occur during light activity or at rest, including sleep.
• C. It is always associated with a heart attack.
• D. It occurs exclusively at night.

Answer: (B)

Unstable angina is an acute coronary syndrome in which myocardial ischemia occurs unpredictably and can happen with little or no exertion. The characteristic feature is that chest discomfort can arise during light activity or even at rest, and it may wake someone from sleep. This contrasts with stable angina, which typically occurs with more definite exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. This makes the statement describing symptoms during light activity or at rest, including sleep, the best description. It’s not simply tied to strenuous exercise, and while unstable angina can progress to a heart attack, it is not always associated with infarction at the moment. It also is not limited to nighttime; it can occur at any time.

Unstable angina is an acute coronary syndrome in which myocardial ischemia occurs unpredictably and can happen with little or no exertion. The characteristic feature is that chest discomfort can arise during light activity or even at rest, and it may wake someone from sleep. This contrasts with stable angina, which typically occurs with more definite exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

This makes the statement describing symptoms during light activity or at rest, including sleep, the best description. It’s not simply tied to strenuous exercise, and while unstable angina can progress to a heart attack, it is not always associated with infarction at the moment. It also is not limited to nighttime; it can occur at any time.