Chest Pain on the Stairs

Chest Pain on the Stairs

February 28, 2026 | Family Medicine Exam Prep Course | CCFP

We are excited to see so many of you join our FMEP courses. Several of you have requested we continue to post more practice SAMPs, so here you go!

SAMP

A 54-year-old man presents with intermittent chest pain for 3 months, lasting 10 minutes, precipitated by climbing stairs, relieved by rest. Risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia. Resting ECG: normal. (8 points)

  1. Most likely diagnosis? (1 point)
    1. Stable angina
    2. Unstable angina
    3. Atypical GERD
    4. Costochondritis
    5. Panic attacks

    Answer: A

  2. Best initial investigation? (1 point)
    1. Troponin (urgent)
    2. Exercise stress test
    3. Coronary CT angiography
    4. Holter monitoring
    5. D-dimer

    Answer: B

  3. Which medication should be initiated for long-term risk reduction? (1 point)
    1. Aspirin
    2. Nitroglycerin patch
    3. Ibuprofen
    4. Digoxin
    5. Clopidogrel (monotherapy)

    Answer: A

  4. Which finding reclassifies his chest pain as unstable angina? (1 point)
    1. Pain relieved by rest
    2. Pain only with heavy exertion
    3. Increasing frequency over 3 months
    4. Pain associated with diaphoresis
    5. Pain reproducible on palpation

    Answer: C

  5. Evidence-based treatment for stable angina includes. Select all that apply. (4 points)
    1. Beta-blocker
    2. Long-acting nitrate (if symptoms persist)
    3. Calcium-channel blocker
    4. High-intensity statin
    5. Oral corticosteroids

    Answer: A, B, C, D

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