Chronic stable angina is the main manifestation of stable coronary artery disease and arises from a mismatch between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. This condition is typically due to the presence of atheromatous plaques inside coronary arteries however, it can be associated with other pathological mechanisms. The typical symptom of stable angina is chest pain or discomfort that is triggered by exercise or emotional stress and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin administration. Some patients may however experience symptoms other than chest pain, defined as “angina equivalents” (e.g. dyspnoea, fatigue).

As acknowledged by 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines, angina is associated with reduced physical endurance and recurrent hospitalizations, leading to an overall impairment in patient’s quality of life.

Data from clinical trials and observational registries show that a relevant proportion of patients suffering from stable angina continue to experience symptoms despite current therapy, leading to daily limitations in their functional status.

According to European Society of Cardiology recommendations, one of the major aims of pharmacological management of stable angina is the improvement of patient’s quality of life through the reduction of symptoms frequency and severity.