What characterizes stable ischemia?

Stable ischemia is characterized by increased chest pain with exercise. This condition occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to narrowed coronary arteries, typically during periods of increased physical activity or stress when the heart demands more oxygen. The pain may be predictable, and patients often have a consistent pattern of when they experience symptoms, such as during exercise or emotional stress, which allows them to manage their condition effectively.

During rest, the heart's oxygen demand decreases, often alleviating symptoms. This is why options relating to symptoms experienced at rest do not accurately describe stable ischemia. For instance, experiencing chest pain at rest or severe shortness of breath would suggest a different or more acute condition, such as unstable angina or heart failure. Therefore, the correct understanding of stable ischemia revolves around the typical increase of chest pain associated with exercise, which reflects the underlying issue of oxygen supply struggling to meet demand during physical activity.