Which of the following is a common symptom of a myocardial infarction?

A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, can present with various symptoms that may not only involve chest pain. Among these, pleuritic pain, shortness of breath, and nausea can all occur as part of the clinical picture.

Shortness of breath is frequently reported during a myocardial infarction because the heart's reduced ability to pump blood effectively can lead to inadequate oxygenation of the body's tissues. This can manifest as a sense of difficulty breathing or feeling winded, often exacerbated by physical exertion or panic.

Nausea, on the other hand, is a symptom that many patients experience during a heart attack. It may be attributed to the body’s response to the stress of the event, as well as the effect of cardiac ischemia on the autonomic nervous system. Many individuals experiencing a heart attack also report a sense of impending doom, which can accompany feelings of nausea.

Pleuritic pain, while not as common as the other two, can occur if the infarction leads to complications such as pericarditis or if there is associated lung involvement, possibly due to pulmonary edema or other respiratory complications stemming from heart failure.

Recognizing that all these symptoms can coexist in patients experiencing a myocardial infarction is crucial for