Which heart condition is characterized by episodes of chest pain due to insufficient blood flow?

Angina pectoris is a condition characterized by episodes of chest pain or discomfort that occur when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and oxygen. This insufficiency is often the result of coronary artery disease, where the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow. The pain is typically triggered by physical exertion, stress, or extreme temperatures, and it is often relieved by rest or the use of nitroglycerin. Understanding angina pectoris is crucial because it serves as a warning sign of underlying heart issues that may progress to more serious conditions, such as myocardial infarction.

The other conditions listed, while they relate to heart health, do not specifically describe the episodic chest pain due to inadequate blood flow in the same way angina pectoris does. Myocardial infarction involves a more severe and often permanent blockage leading to heart muscle damage, atrial fibrillation refers to an irregular heartbeat that may cause symptoms like palpitations but not necessarily chest pain due to blood flow issues, and heart failure is a broader condition affecting the heart's pumping ability but does not specifically refer to episodes of chest pain.