Key Points
Chest pain is among the leading causes of presentation to the
emergency department and assessment should focus on the history
of the pain
History taking is important and effective communication skills are
pivotal in obtaining a comprehensive, relevant patient history
Acute coronary syndrome is a potentially serious cause of chest pain
that requires rapid identification and treatment
There are numerous non-ischaemic causes of chest pain, which can
be associated with pericarditis, aortic dissection, pulmonary and
gastrointestinal conditions
Haemodynamic assessment is integral in assessing the stability of
the patient and their perfusion status