What is a common clinical sign of variant angina?

Variant angina, also known as Prinzmetal angina, is characterized by episodes of chest pain that typically occur at rest, especially during sleep or when a person is in a relaxed state. This type of angina is caused by transient spasm of the coronary arteries, leading to temporary decreases in blood flow to the heart muscle.

The prevalence of chest pain during sleep is a hallmark of variant angina. Patients may experience episodes of severe chest pain, but these often resolve relatively quickly, usually within 5 to 15 minutes, and they can occur without any physical exertion.

In contrast, other forms of angina, such as stable angina, are usually associated with exertion or emotional stress and are relieved by rest. Variability in occurrence (such as during sleep rather than with exertion) is what distinguishes variant angina from other types. Thus, the association of chest pain with sleep aligns perfectly with the clinical presentation of variant angina.