Which term describes chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart?

• A. Angina pectoris
• B. Ischemic heart disease
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Arrhythmia

Answer: (A)

Chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart is described by the term angina pectoris. This pain happens when the heart muscle temporarily doesn’t get enough oxygen because the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, often during physical activity or emotional stress. The sensation is usually a pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest and may radiate to the arm, neck, jaw, or back. It’s typically relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, reflecting its reversible, ischemic nature.

Ischemic heart disease is the broader umbrella for conditions caused by insufficient coronary blood flow and includes angina as well as more severe events like heart attacks. Myocardial infarction is when prolonged ischemia causes heart muscle tissue to die, representing actual tissue injury rather than just the symptom of chest pain. Arrhythmia refers to abnormal heart rhythms and, while it can cause chest discomfort, it’s not defined by reduced blood flow to the heart.