A 32-year-old female experiences chest pain during exercise that resolves quickly. What is the likely diagnosis?

The scenario describes a 32-year-old female who experiences chest pain during exercise that resolves quickly. This pattern is characteristic of angina, which is typically described as chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina often arises during physical activity or stress when the heart's demand for oxygen increases, and it usually subsides with rest or cessation of the activity.

In this case, since the chest pain occurs during exercise and resolves quickly, it aligns well with the typical presentation of stable angina. Unlike other conditions, angina does not usually result in lasting damage to the heart. Instead, it serves as a warning sign that the heart is experiencing increased demand that is exceeding its oxygen supply, often due to underlying coronary artery disease.

The nature of angina, particularly its relationship with exertion and its quick resolution, helps differentiate it from other more severe or different diagnoses. For example, acute myocardial infarction would typically present with prolonged chest pain and associated symptoms that do not resolve quickly. Similarly, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary edema have distinct symptomatology and often would involve more acute presentations or additional signs such as difficulty breathing.