Chest pain and shortness of breath

The common presenting complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath have been covered together as a number of conditions can present with either or both of these symptoms. A wide range of disorders can precipitate chest pain or shortness of breath and so we have concentrated on the more common serious causes. Acute coronary syndrome is a term covering both acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Like many conditions it becomes more common in older age and outcomes are typically less favourable. The higher incidence of atypical presentations in the old promotes delays in treatment and higher mortality rates. Heart failure is defined as the heart being no longer able to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s metabolic requirements. Left ventricular impairment causes pulmonary oedema, which presents as breathlessness. Right ventricular impairment causes peripheral oedema, which is usually noted as swelling of the ankles.