Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) Practice Test

The situation described is characteristic of variant or vasospastic angina, which is specifically associated with spasms in the coronary arteries that can occur even when the individual is at rest. This form of angina is distinct from other types due to its sudden onset and the fact that it can happen without exertion, often occurring during periods of rest, typically at night or in the early morning.

Vasospastic angina is linked to a temporary tightening of the muscles in the walls of the coronary arteries, leading to a reduction in blood flow to the heart. This can result in chest pain or discomfort, which may resolve with rest or the use of medications such as nitroglycerin.

In contrast, stable angina typically occurs in predictable patterns during physical exertion or stress, unstable angina is associated with increased frequency, duration, or intensity of angina and occurs at rest or with minimal exertion, and a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, involves prolonged blockage that causes irreversible damage to the heart muscle. Thus, the unique feature of coronary artery spasms occurring at rest is specifically indicative of variant or vasospastic angina.