Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Stabilization and safety
If abnormal vital signs
If hypotension
Escalate resuscitation bay
If hypoxemia
Supplemental oxygen to target SpO2 94% to 98%
If fever with pleuritic pain or cough
Infectious cardiopulmonary evaluation pathway
If chest pain with high risk features
Immediate ECG
Cardiac monitor
High sensitivity troponin pathway
Rapid exclusion of time critical mimics
Acute coronary syndrome concern
Ischemic symptoms
Radiation to arm jaw back
Diaphoresis
Exertional component
Syncope or near syncope
Pulmonary embolism concern
Pleuritic pain
Hemoptysis
Unilateral leg swelling
Recent surgery or immobilization
Prior VTE
Aortic catastrophe concern
Sudden maximal onset
Tearing or ripping quality
Pulse deficit
Focal neurologic deficit
Pericarditis or myocarditis concern
Positional pain relief leaning forward
Viral prodrome
Pericardial friction rub
Working diagnosis confirmation
Reproducible focal parasternal tenderness
Pain reproduced with palpation of costochondral junctions
Pain worsened by chest wall movement
Benign course markers
Normal oxygen saturation on room air
No respiratory distress
No hemodynamic instability
Key concepts
Core clinical pattern
Musculoskeletal chest wall pain from costochondral inflammation
Self limited course typical
Symptoms can mimic cardiopulmonary emergencies
Tietze syndrome distinction
Localized costochondral swelling
Usually single upper rib involvement
More localized than diffuse costochondritis
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.