Which symptom indicates cardiovascular risk in an immobilized patient?

• A. Decreased heart rate
• B. Chest pain or shortness of breath
• C. Normal appetite
• D. Improved energy

Answer: (B)

Inactivity and immobilization slow blood flow and raise the risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, making any new chest pain or shortness of breath a critical red flag. These symptoms point to possible myocardial ischemia or a pulmonary embolism—conditions that demand urgent assessment and intervention. A slower heart rate isn’t a typical early warning of acute cardiovascular distress in this context, and normal appetite or increased energy simply indicate the patient is comfortable or not in distress at that moment. So, the presence of chest pain or shortness of breath best signals cardiovascular risk in an immobilized patient.