chronic stable angina

Last reviewed 01/2018

Pain is provoked by physical exertion, especially after a meal, in cold weather or walking against the wind. The pain is often also aggravated by anger or excitement.

The pain is relieved within 2-10 min by rest. Occasionally the pain will disappear even though exertion continues.

Often angina will be precipitated by a predictable degree of exertion in a particular patient; the threshold for pain varies widely between patient.

The severity of the symptoms is not closely related to the extent of coronary artery disease, indeed periods of ischaemia and myocardial infarction may be entirely painless.

The pain is often more easily provoked in the morning.