Identify and Describe Typical Symptoms of a Myocardial Infarction (MI)

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The Answer is Typical symptoms of an MI include severe, vicelike, continuous, constrictive chest pain that commonly radiates to the jaw, neck, arm, and back. The pain often occurs in the early morning; is unrelieved by nitrates, position change, or rest; and lasts about 20 minutes or more. Other signs and symptoms include profuse perspiration, moist clammy skin, pallor, and nausea and vomiting. Anxiety, restlessness, drop in blood pressure, arrhythmias, shock, and heart failure may also be present. It is important to note that 25% to 68% of MIs are not identified as an MI; this is especially the case for older adults and women, who may not display the usual clinical symptoms of a heart attack, called a "silent MI." Rather, they may have gastric disturbances, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, behavioral or mental changes, or an arrhythmia. The course of the illness is more complex and the mortality rate is higher among older adults; therefore early, definitive diagnosis and treatment are imperative.

Identify and Describe Typical Symptoms of a Myocardial Infarction (MI)

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