Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

What condition is indicated when a patient reports heaviness on the chest and becomes diaphoretic?

1. Angina pectoris

2. Myocardial infarction

3. Pulmonary hypertension

4. Congestive heart failure

The correct answer is: Myocardial infarction

The indication of heaviness in the chest combined with diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, is highly suggestive of a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. This presentation is characteristic of the body's response when the heart muscle is not receiving sufficient blood flow, often due to a blockage in a coronary artery. In the case of a myocardial infarction, the heaviness on the chest results from the stress and damage to the heart muscle as it attempts to cope with the lack of oxygen. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, which often leads to the patient sweating excessively as a physiological response to the acute stress and pain. The other conditions listed—angina pectoris, pulmonary hypertension, and congestive heart failure—can also cause discomfort and other symptoms, but they typically have distinct presentations or are associated with different patterns of symptoms. For instance, while angina may present similarly, it usually resolves with rest or the use of nitrates and does not typically lead to such pronounced sweating. Congestive heart failure can lead to chest discomfort and sweating but is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as significant shortness of breath or edema. Pulmonary hypertension may cause chest pain or discomfort but is less common and presents with different signs and