Which type of chest discomfort is most commonly characterized by pain that resolves with rest?

Stable angina is characterized by chest discomfort that occurs predictably with exertion or emotional stress and is relieved by rest or the administration of nitrates. This pattern of pain occurs because of transient myocardial ischemia caused by atherosclerotic lesions, where increased oxygen demand from physical or emotional exertion exceeds the oxygen supply due to narrowed coronary arteries. The hallmark of stable angina is its reproducibility; patients often report a similar pattern of relief when they rest or stop the activity that triggered the pain.

In contrast, unstable angina typically presents with pain that may occur at rest, is more prolonged and severe, and does not respond predictably to rest or medication. Gastric ulcer pain generally mimics cardiac pain but is not associated with exertion and may not resolve with rest. Pericarditis often presents with sharp, pleuritic pain that may worsen with certain positions or breathing but is not consistently relieved by resting. Therefore, stable angina’s distinct characteristic of resolving with rest makes it the correct answer.