The symptoms of myocardial infarction last longer than 15 minutes, and do not respond completely to nitroglycerin. The duration of the pain is variable. Pain may resolve completely after a few hours, or may persist for over 24 hours. Elderly or diabetic patients are prone to atypical symptoms, such as nausea or dyspnea as the sole symptoms of infarction. The physical exam usually shows the patient to be pale or grayish.
Diaphoresis is often present.
Pulse rate may be normal, but often bradycardia is present in inferior infarction. Tachycardia is often seen with large infarctions, and may be a bad prognostic sign. Blood pressure is often elevated. Cardiac exam will usually be normal. Large infarctions may cause signs of ventricular failure or valve dysfunction.