Which level of angina during an exercise test constitutes an absolute indication to terminate the test?

• A. Moderate-to-severe angina during the test
• B. Mild angina during the test
• C. Chest discomfort without angina
• D. Angina relieved by nitroglycerin

Answer: (A)

Moderate-to-severe angina during an exercise test is the point at which you must stop. That level of chest pain indicates that the heart isn’t getting enough blood even at the current level of exertion, and pushing farther could push the patient into dangerous ischemia, arrhythmias, or a heart attack. The test is designed to gauge function while keeping safety first, so when angina becomes clearly uncomfortable and more intense, stopping prevents further risk.

Mild angina is still a sign of ischemia but not at the critical threshold; the test can often continue with adjustments or closer monitoring. Chest discomfort without angina isn’t necessarily ischemic and doesn’t automatically require stopping. Angina relieved by nitroglycerin shows responsiveness to vasodilator therapy, which is reassuring, and by itself isn’t an automatic reason to halt the test unless symptoms recur or worsen.