Question

a 58-year-old female presents to the clinic with concern for chest pain over the past three months. she describes the pain as sharp and stabbing, in the mid-sternal region, lasting for one to two minutes, occurring a few times a day. the pain can come on at rest or with exertion and resolves on its own. it has not become worse since it began. there is no associated diaphoresis, shortness of breath, nausea, jaw pain, or pain with movement, eating, or laying supine. she has a 10-year history of obesity and hypertension for which she takes chlorthalidone and lisinopril. she was recently diagnosed with diabetes that has been controlled by diet. physical examination shows her pulse is 86 beats/minute, respiration rate is 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure is 135/85 mmhg. her lungs are clear, heart sounds are normal, and there is no chest wall tenderness to palpation or abdominal tenderness. there is no peripheral edema. how would you best characterize her chest pain?

Answer 1

Anxiety

Step-by-step explanation:

Since there aren't any odd or unnatural events in the heart, and her diabetes and sicknesses are under control, the best guess would have to be anxiety. Also, another indicator is that this sharp pain comes on during any activity and goes away by themselves, I would believe this is anxiety.