A 22-year-old male presents with recurrent episodes of severe chest pain, often triggered by emotional stress. The pain is relieved by rest and sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
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A 22-year-old male presents with recurrent episodes of severe chest pain, often triggered by emotional stress. The pain is relieved by rest and sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: D - The recurrent episodes of severe chest pain triggered by emotional stress and relieved by rest and nitroglycerin suggest Prinzmetal (variant) angina. This type of angina is caused by coronary artery vasospasm.
A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy typically presents with exertional chest pain and is not associated with vasospasm.
B. Stable angina
Stable angina: Stable angina is typically brought on by exertion and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, but it is not triggered by emotional stress.
C. Unstable angina
Unstable angina: Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain at rest or with minimal exertion and is not typically associated with vasospasm.
E. Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction: Myocardial infarction presents with prolonged chest pain and is not relieved by nitroglycerin alone.