Oklahoma State Department of Health 01-2018Revised CHEST PAIN/PRESSURE Cardiac and non-cardiac conditions cause chest pain including angina, myocardial infarction, hyperventilation, anxiety, muscle strain, pulmonary embolism or dissecting aortic aneurysm. History: Risk factors for heart disease Past history of heart attack Past history of angina; treatment Determine time of onset Quality of pain, sharp, dull, aching, stabbing, burning etc. Location of pain Severity of pain (0-10 scale) Additional symptoms; shortness of breath, unexplained sweating, nausea, radiating to arms, neck or back, rapid heart rate with shortness of breath, cough that may produce blood-streaked sputum, fainting, Anxiety or panic attacks Medications (Nitroglycerin) Medication Allergies (aspirin) Assessment: Obtain vital signs o Listen to heart-rate, rhythm, lungs (for breath sounds) o Check pulse in all extremities and compare Assess for: o Shortness of breath o Skin condition (cold, clammy, sweaty) o Pain with cough or deep breathing o Sudden difficulty speaking, loss of vision, weakness, or paralysis of one side of the body Treatment: If the person is standing, assist them to a sitting or lying position Loosen tight clothing Assist individual with prescribed nitroglycerin tablet. They should not bite or chew nitroglycerin. It should be placed under the tongue to dissolve. Prescribed nitroglycerin may be taken as 1 tablet or spray under the tongue every 5 minutes up to 3 tablets in 15 minutes Encourage individual to chew a 325mg uncoated aspirin Call EMS: Unexplained chest pain lasting more than a few minutes New cases of chest pain Unresolved pain after their normal treatment Pain associated with fever and shortness of breath Reference WebMD. Chest Pain Treatment. Retrieved electronically October 13, 2017 at https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/chest-pain-treatment Chest Pain This Page Intentionally Left Blank.