Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) Practice Test 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

Pre-infarction angina is categorized as a type of unstable angina because it represents a phase of increased risk for myocardial infarction (heart attack). This type of angina occurs when there is worsening chest pain that may occur at rest or with minimal exertion, and often indicates that there is a significant obstruction in the coronary arteries.

The defining characteristics of pre-infarction angina include its unpredictability and the fact that it may last longer than stable angina episodes. It typically presents with increasing frequency and severity, which signifies that the heart is not receiving adequate blood flow due to possible plaque rupture or increased myocardial oxygen demand that cannot be met. This elevates the urgency for medical intervention to prevent progression to a heart attack.

Other forms of angina listed, such as classic angina and exertional angina, are generally considered stable. They occur with predictable patterns of increased activity or stress and do not indicate the immediate risk of heart muscle damage that is associated with unstable angina types like pre-infarction angina. Vasospastic angina, while also a variant of angina, is primarily caused by spasms in coronary arteries rather than plaque-related instability, further distinguishing it from pre-infarction angina.