What are the typical characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD)?
Typical characteristics of CAD include chest pain, dyspnea, arm, shoulder, back, jaw, neck, epigastric, or ear discomfort. Evaluation should include the clinician's impression of whether the pain represents a high, intermediate, or low likelihood of acute ischemia. Other important findings that increase the likelihood of ACS include older age, male sex, chest or left arm pain, and chest pain or pressure. Relief of chest pain with nitroglycerin or gastrointestinal cocktails does not necessarily predict the absence of ACS.  