What could be causing left side chest discomfort and nausea in an adult with an unknown medical history?

Immediate Evaluation for Left-Sided Chest Discomfort with Nausea

You must immediately evaluate this patient for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as left-sided chest discomfort combined with nausea represents a classic presentation of myocardial ischemia that requires urgent cardiac workup to prevent mortality. 1

Critical First Steps (Within 10 Minutes)

• Obtain a 12-lead ECG immediately to identify ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), ST-segment depression, or T-wave inversions indicating acute ischemia 1, 2
• Place the patient on continuous cardiac monitoring with defibrillation capability available, as life-threatening arrhythmias can occur without warning 1, 2
• Measure cardiac troponin immediately and repeat at 3-6 hours if initial value is negative, as troponin elevation with chest pain indicates NSTEMI 2
• Assess vital signs including blood pressure in both arms, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate to identify hemodynamic instability or pulse differential suggesting aortic dissection 1

High-Risk Features Requiring ACS Protocol

Nausea and vomiting accompanying chest discomfort strongly point to a cardiac cause and represent autonomic nervous system stimulation from myocardial ischemia. 1 This combination is particularly concerning because:

• Nausea is one of the most common associated symptoms of myocardial ischemia, occurring alongside dyspnea, diaphoresis, lightheadedness, and upper abdominal pain 1
• Left-sided chest symptoms with nausea are especially common in women, diabetics, and elderly patients with ACS, who may not present with classic central chest pressure 1
• The presence of associated symptoms like nausea increases the likelihood of ACS compared to isolated chest discomfort 1

Detailed Symptom Characterization Required

You must obtain specific details about the chest discomfort to risk-stratify appropriately:

Nature of Pain

• Pressure, tightness, heaviness, squeezing, or crushing sensation suggests anginal symptoms and requires immediate ACS workup 1
• Sharp pain that increases with inspiration or lying supine is unlikely ischemic and suggests pericarditis or musculoskeletal causes 1
• Stabbing or fleeting pain lasting only seconds is unlikely related to ischemic heart disease 1

Onset and Duration

• Pain that builds gradually over several minutes is characteristic of angina 1
• Pain duration >20 minutes at rest indicates high-risk ACS requiring immediate intervention 2
• Sudden onset of ripping pain radiating to the back suggests aortic dissection, not ACS 1

Radiation Pattern

• Pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or between shoulder blades is typical of myocardial ischemia 1
• Pain localized to a very small area or radiating below the umbilicus is unlikely cardiac 1

Precipitating Factors

• Occurrence at rest or with minimal exertion usually indicates ACS 1
• Physical exercise or emotional stress as triggers suggest stable angina but still require evaluation 1
• Positional chest pain (worse with movement or position changes) is usually nonischemic 1

Special Population Considerations

Women

• Women are at high risk for underdiagnosis and potential cardiac causes must always be considered 1
• Women more frequently present with accompanying symptoms including nausea, jaw pain, neck pain, back pain, and palpitations compared to men 1, 3
• Traditional risk assessment tools often underestimate risk in women and misclassify them as having nonischemic chest pain 1

Diabetic Patients

• Diabetics may have atypical presentations due to autonomic dysfunction, including isolated nausea without classic chest pain 1
• Left-sided symptoms, throat discomfort, or abdominal symptoms occur more frequently in diabetic patients with ACS 1

Elderly Patients (>75 years)

• ACS should be considered when accompanying symptoms like nausea are present, even without typical chest pain 1
• Elderly patients may present with generalized weakness, syncope, acute delirium, or unexplained falls rather than chest discomfort 1

Physical Examination Findings

Look for these specific signs:

• Diaphoresis, tachypnea, tachycardia, or hypotension suggest emergency ACS 1
• Crackles, S3 gallop, or new mitral regurgitation murmur indicate acute heart failure from ischemia 1
• Pulse differential between extremities (check both arms) suggests aortic dissection rather than ACS 1
• The examination may be completely normal in uncomplicated ACS cases 1

Diagnostic Algorithm

1. If ECG shows ST-elevation or new left bundle branch block: Activate cardiac catheterization laboratory immediately for primary PCI without waiting for troponin results 4

2. If ECG shows ST-depression or T-wave inversions: Initiate NSTEMI/unstable angina protocol, admit for cardiology evaluation, and obtain serial troponins 2

3. If initial ECG is nondiagnostic but clinical suspicion remains high: Perform serial ECGs every 15-30 minutes to detect evolving ischemic changes 1

4. Two negative troponin measurements at least 6 hours apart plus non-ischemic ECG plus absence of high-risk features are necessary before considering alternative diagnoses 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never assume nausea with chest discomfort is gastrointestinal without excluding cardiac causes first, especially in women, diabetics, and elderly patients 1, 3
• Do not use nitroglycerin response as a diagnostic criterion for ischemia, as esophageal spasm and other conditions also respond to nitroglycerin 1
• Do not rely on a single troponin measurement to exclude myocardial injury; serial measurements at least 6 hours apart are required 2
• Do not discharge patients with ongoing symptoms even if initial ECG and troponin are normal; serial testing is mandatory 1, 2

Alternative Diagnoses to Consider Only After Cardiac Exclusion

Once ACS is definitively excluded with serial troponins and ECGs:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease may cause left-sided epigastric discomfort with nausea 1
• Costochondritis presents with chest wall tenderness on palpation of costochondral joints 1
• Anxiety or panic disorder can cause chest discomfort with associated symptoms including nausea, but this is a diagnosis of exclusion 5