How long does stable angina typically last?

Stable angina typically lasts for a brief period, usually around 3 to 5 minutes, when triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress. This type of angina is characterized by predictable and consistent episodes of chest pain or discomfort that resolve with rest or nitroglycerin use. Although the answer provided is 3 minutes or less, the more common understanding is that episodes of stable angina often last up to 5 minutes, which aligns with typical clinical observations.

When patients experience stable angina, the pain is usually relieved promptly with rest or medication, indicating that the underlying myocardial ischemia is transient and often directly related to increased oxygen demand that exceeds supply. If stable angina attacks were to exceed 10 minutes or occur at rest, they would typically warrant further evaluation, as these would suggest a more serious condition like unstable angina or myocardial infarction.