Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Cardiovascular medicine
CPD
Complete 1.5 CPD hours

Is this chest pain due to myocardial ischaemia?

Simon O’connor
Go To
CPD
Abstract
A careful history, ECG and appropriate investigations can help distinguish benign causes of chest pain from exertional angina and acute coronary syndrome.
Key Points
  • Careful history taking can help identify patients with angina and stratify their risk.
  • A resting ECG is essential for assessing risk and planning further investigations.
  • Typical angina symptoms and an abnormal ECG are an indication for early referral for coronary angiography.
  • Symptoms at rest and an abnormal ECG may be an indication to call an ambulance.
  • Other investigations that may be helpful include exercise stress ECGs, stress echocardiography and myocardial perfusion scanning, and CT coronary angiography.
  • A negative noninvasive test result does not exclude myocardial ischaemia, and continuing symptoms are an indication for referral.
Get full access
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Buy this article

Single article purchases are temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance.

If you would like to purchase an article during this time, please email us at [email protected] with the article details and we'll assist you directly. We'll also let you know when online purchasing is available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Already a subscriber?