How should you respond to a pregnant patient presenting with chest pain?

• A. Delay transport until fetal assessment is done.
• B. Treat as chest pain, activate EMS, monitor and transport promptly; pregnancy can complicate presentations, but management remains urgent.
• C. Only perform basic first aid and wait for doctor.
• D. Assume non-cardiac origin and advise rest.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that chest pain in a pregnant patient must be treated as a potentially serious emergency and handled with the same sense of urgency as nonpregnant patients. Pregnancy can complicate presentations because cardiovascular and other emergencies can mimic or be masked by normal pregnancy changes, and conditions like ACS, pulmonary embolism, or aortic dissection can occur. Because of this, do not delay for fetal assessment or assume it’s non-cardiac. Instead, activate EMS, continuously monitor the patient, and arrange prompt transport to a facility equipped to manage both obstetric and cardiac concerns. While you monitor, support the patient’s ABCs, provide oxygen if needed, and be prepared for rapid evaluation and care upon arrival.