ACSM Personal Trainer Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Angina is characterized primarily by chest pain or discomfort, which is often described as a sensation of pressure, squeezing, or aching. This pain can occur during physical exertion or emotional stress due to a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle. Many individuals may also experience the pain radiating to other areas, but the hallmark symptom remains the chest pain or pressure.

The other symptoms listed, while they can occur in various cardiovascular conditions, are not specifically indicative of angina. Heartburn and nausea might suggest gastrointestinal issues or sometimes even a heart condition, but they do not specifically point to angina. Shortness of breath and fatigue can occur with many heart-related disorders, including heart failure or other types of heart disease, but again, these are not the classic symptoms of angina itself. Similarly, arm pain and headache could be seen in a variety of contexts, including stress or tension, and are not directly linked to the classic presentation of angina. This makes chest pain and pressure the most definitive symptom associated with angina.