Your neighbor is an overweight 55-year-old man. He complains about his chest and is mowing the lawn. What should you think of?

• A. Angina
• B. Heart attack
• C. Gastric reflux
• D. Pneumonia

Answer: (B)

When someone experiences chest discomfort during physical activity, especially a middle-aged man with risk factors like being overweight, you should be thinking of a heart-related emergency. This pattern points toward acute coronary syndrome, with a heart attack being the most serious possibility. A heart attack happens when a coronary artery is blocked, causing ongoing chest pressure or pain that can radiate to the arm, jaw, or back, and is often accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath, or nausea. This is more urgent than other causes of chest pain. Gastric reflux tends to feel like a burning sensation related to meals or certain positions rather than activity, and pneumonia usually comes with fever, cough, and other infection signs. Because chest pain in this context can be life-threatening, seek emergency evaluation promptly.