Final answer:
The symptoms described by Bob, including substernal chest pain that is provoked by exertion and relieved by rest and nitroglycerin, are consistent with stable angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms described by Bob, including substernal chest pain that is provoked by exertion and relieved by rest and nitroglycerin, are consistent with stable angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. In stable angina, the pain is typically triggered by physical activity or stress and subsides with rest or the use of nitroglycerin, which widens the coronary arteries and improves blood flow.
If left untreated, stable angina could progress into unstable angina, which is characterized by chest pain that occurs at rest, lasts longer than 15 minutes, and is of new onset. Unstable angina is more serious and may be a sign of an impending heart attack, necessitating immediate medical attention.