A 62-year-old man with known coronary artery disease presents with severe chest pain that is not relieved with nitroglycerin. He is diaphoretic and appears in distress. What could this situation indicate?
This patient's symptoms suggest a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Severe chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin, particularly in someone with known coronary artery disease, is concerning. The patient's apparent distress and diaphoresis (sweating) add to this concern. This is a medical emergency. The patient should be given aspirin immediately, and an ECG should be performed without delay.