Chest Pain Characteristics Experienced in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Student Research in Translational Medicine,
Vol. 7 (2025),
1 March 2025,
Page 1-10
https://doi.org/10.22037/srtm.v7.45538
Background and Aim: Diagnosis and management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
require a thorough and rapid evaluation of the patient's history, particularly chest pain, as it is
the most prevalent symptom. Therefore, evaluating the characteristics and description of chest
pain in patients with AMI is of utmost importance. This study focused on identifying unique
and specific features of chest pain in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
(STEMI).
Methods: This prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted between July
2021 and November 2022. Patients of both genders, over 20 years of age, who experienced
STEMI consecutively, were included in the study.
Results: There were 193 STEMI patients, 170 (88.1%) male and 23 female. Chest pain was
reported as the initial symptom in 175 (90.7%) patients, which was the main reason for
seeking emergency medical care. Chest pain was mostly described as pressure and weighting,
and 51.3% of patients reported pain radiation to the left hand. Chest pain was the worst pain
experience for 116 (60.4%) patients. Sweating was the most common accompanying
symptom, and neck radiation was significantly higher in women than men. There were no
significant differences in anterior vs. inferior STEMI patients regarding age, pain description,
symptom onset, radiation of pain, accompanying symptoms, and pain duration.
Conclusion: Patients experiencing STEMI typically present with chest pain as their initial
symptom and mainly as a pressure-like feeling.