Which factor commonly provokes anginal chest pain?

Which factor commonly provokes anginal chest pain?

• A. Pain worsened by lying down.
• B. Pain only at rest.
• C. Physical exertion, emotional excitement, or psychological stress.
• D. Pain after meals with improved rest.

Answer: (C)

Angina happens when the heart’s oxygen demand during activity or stress outpaces the blood supply through narrowed coronary arteries, causing chest pain. The most common triggers are situations that raise workload on the heart—physical exertion, emotional excitement, or psychological stress—because these moments push the heart to pump harder and faster, increasing oxygen demand. Lying down, pain only at rest, or pain after meals with relief at rest aren’t typical triggers for the classic anginal pattern. Lying down can worsen other conditions, resting pain points to different causes, and post-meal symptoms aren’t the usual provocation for angina. Therefore, the factor describing exertion and stress best matches how angina is typically provoked.

Angina happens when the heart’s oxygen demand during activity or stress outpaces the blood supply through narrowed coronary arteries, causing chest pain. The most common triggers are situations that raise workload on the heart—physical exertion, emotional excitement, or psychological stress—because these moments push the heart to pump harder and faster, increasing oxygen demand.

Lying down, pain only at rest, or pain after meals with relief at rest aren’t typical triggers for the classic anginal pattern. Lying down can worsen other conditions, resting pain points to different causes, and post-meal symptoms aren’t the usual provocation for angina. Therefore, the factor describing exertion and stress best matches how angina is typically provoked.