Why is acute pain particularly dangerous for a patient having a heart attack?

A) Release of endorphins causes dangerous elevation of blood pressure.
B) Release of substance P narrows the airways and leads to hypoxemia.
C) Release of prostaglandins lowers the patient's heart rate and blood pressure.
D) Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system will increase cardiac workload.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for quick response to stress or emergency (fight or flight response).

Acute Pain

Short-term pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury or illness and is usually sharp in quality.

Endorphins

Neurochemicals produced by the body that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers, often released in response to stress, pain, or exercise.