Final answer:
Costochondritis, a musculoskeletal issue, can mimic the chest pains associated with Coronary Artery Disease. This condition can be differentiated by pain that is reproduced with pressure on the chest. Other symptoms of CAD, such as angina, are due to reduced blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differential diagnosis for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) includes a variety of conditions, one of which is a musculoskeletal problem known as costochondritis. This condition can present with chest pains that may be misinterpreted as CAD. Costochondritis pain is typically reproduced by pressing on the sternum and costochondral regions of the chest. Differentiating chest pain is crucial since symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI), such as angina pectoris, chest pressure, and discomfort, can be similar to other conditions like musculoskeletal pains, anxiety attacks, and indigestion. Notably, angina indicates reduced blood flow to heart muscle cells, causing them to be starved of oxygen and potentially leading to an MI if left untreated.