What is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction and ischemia?

What is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction and ischemia?

• A. Retrosternal chest pain
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Nausea
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (A)

Retrosternal chest pain is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction and ischemia. Ischemia triggers pain signals from the heart that the brain interprets as chest discomfort, often described as pressure, tightness, or a crushing sensation behind the sternum. This classic chest pain may radiate to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back and typically lasts several minutes, sometimes triggered by exertion. While shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness can occur with MI, they are less consistently the presenting feature and vary with the patient. The key idea is that chest pain is the most frequent clue clinicians rely on for recognizing ischemia and heart attack.

Retrosternal chest pain is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction and ischemia. Ischemia triggers pain signals from the heart that the brain interprets as chest discomfort, often described as pressure, tightness, or a crushing sensation behind the sternum. This classic chest pain may radiate to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back and typically lasts several minutes, sometimes triggered by exertion. While shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness can occur with MI, they are less consistently the presenting feature and vary with the patient. The key idea is that chest pain is the most frequent clue clinicians rely on for recognizing ischemia and heart attack.