What is the first action you should take for an 84-year-old male with chest pain who has a history of heart problems?

In the context of managing a patient with chest pain, particularly in an 84-year-old male who has a history of heart problems, assisting with prescribed nitroglycerin is a critical first action. Nitroglycerin is commonly prescribed for patients with a history of angina or other cardiac conditions because it works by dilating blood vessels, which can help to relieve chest pain and improve blood flow to the heart.

Given the patient’s age and medical history, it's essential to act quickly to relieve any potential myocardial ischemia. Assisting with their prescribed nitroglycerin ensures that the patient receives the appropriate medication to manage their condition effectively, provided they have a current prescription and are not contraindicated for its use.

This approach also allows for prompt relief of symptoms while further medical assistance is being called, which is essential in an emergency scenario. It's important to ensure the patient is in a safe position, and that vital parameters are monitored, but the priority here is to address the immediate complaint of chest pain with appropriate interventions, making the administration of nitroglycerin the most critical first step.