True or False: The presence of angina indicates a higher likelihood of coronary artery disease, irrespective of ischemic changes.

The presence of angina is indeed a significant indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD). Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This symptom arises when there is either a blockage or narrowing of coronary arteries, which is characteristic of CAD.

The relationship between angina and the likelihood of coronary artery disease is well-established; individuals who report angina symptoms often have underlying ischemia, which is a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. This symptom can manifest in various forms, including stable angina, which occurs predictably with exertion, and unstable angina, which can occur unexpectedly, even at rest, indicating a more severe level of heart disease.

Understanding this connection is crucial in clinical practice as it helps guide further diagnostic evaluations, such as stress testing or angiography, aimed at assessing the severity of underlying coronary artery disease. Thus, the correct answer reinforces the importance of recognizing angina as a specific warning sign of CAD, regardless of whether ischemic changes are detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG).

The other options suggest conditions or qualifiers that do not align with the established understanding of angina as an indicator of coronary artery disease, which is accurate across different