In ACS, which symptoms may accompany sternal chest pain?

• A. Chest fullness and jaw pain
• B. Palpitations and arm pain
• C. Shortness of breath only
• D. Nausea only

Answer: (B)

In acute coronary syndrome, chest pain from the heart is often accompanied by other signs that reflect how ischemia affects the body. Palpitations occur because the heart may beat abnormally or more rapidly during ischemia, a common autonomic response. Arm pain, especially radiating to the left arm, happens due to shared nerve pathways that transmit cardiac pain to the arm as referred pain. This combination—palpitations with arm pain—fits a typical pattern seen with sternal chest pain in ACS, making it the best choice.

Shortness of breath, nausea, jaw pain, or chest fullness can occur too, but the pairing of palpitations and arm pain most consistently represents the constellation of symptoms that can accompany chest pain in ACS.