What is the typical duration of angina pectoris pain?

Angina pectoris typically presents as a discomfort or pain in the chest that is usually caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease. In cases of stable angina, the pain generally lasts between 1 to 5 minutes. This duration aligns with the typical nature of stable angina, which is often precipitated by physical exertion or stress and resolves quickly with rest or the use of nitroglycerin.

When the pain lasts within this timeframe, it indicates that it may be related to the underlying pathophysiology of ischemia, which is typically transient and resolves upon alleviating the precipitating factors. This quick onset and resolution help distinguish angina from more severe conditions, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), which tends to last longer and might be accompanied by other symptoms like sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.