• Main Symptom: Chest pain

• Duration: When did the pain start?

History of Presenting complain:

• Site and Location:

  • Exact location of the pain (central, left-sided, right-sided, radiating)

• Onset:

  • How did the pain start? (Sudden or gradual)

  • Any triggering events? (Physical exertion, emotional stress, rest)

•  Character of the Pain:

  • What kind of pain? (Tightness, tearing, pressure, squeezing, heaviness, sharp, stabbing, burning)

• Radiation:

  • Does the pain spread anywhere? (To left arm, neck, jaw, back, shoulders, or other locations)

• Associated Symptoms:

  • Cardiovascular Symptoms: (as specifically)

  • Shortness of breath

  • Sweating

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Palpitations

  • Dizziness

  • Syncope

• Time/duration and Frequency:

  • How long does the pain last? (Seconds, minutes, continuous)

  • Has it occurred before? If yes, how often? Establish the timeline of symptoms.

    
    

• Exacerbating Factors: (anything that makes the pain worse?)

  • What causes or worsens the pain? (Physical activity, stress, deep inspiration, movement or eating)

  • Relieving Factors: (anything that makes pain better)

  • What relieves the pain? (rest, medications like nitrates, sitting up, antacids)

    
    

• Severity of Pain:

  • Pain scale (0–10)

  • Any changes in intensity (Worsening or improving)

• Respiratory Symptoms:

  • Cough, haemoptysis (blood in sputum), pleuritic pain

  • Gastrointestinal Symptoms:

  • Heartburn, regurgitation, indigestion

  • Musculoskeletal Symptoms:

  • Pain with movement or palpation

    
    

  Is there a response to Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) (if prescribed).  Did it relieve the pain?

Systems review:

Use this opportunity to elicit Ideas, concerns and expectations

Be sure to summarise the history