Cardiac symptoms and signs Flashcards
20% of all CHD deaths are attributable to =
Smoking
Leading cause of death =
Acute coronary syndrome
CVD symptoms
Chest pain Breathlessness Palpitation Syncope Oedema Cough Fatigue
Cardiac pain tends to feel
Tight
3 characteristics of ‘typical angina’
- Substernal chest discomfort
- Provoked by exertion or emotional stress
- Relieved by rest/GTN
What would make a diagnosis of stable angina unlikely?
- Continuous, very prolonged
- Unrelated to activity
- Worse on inspiration
- Associated symptoms
Stable angina vs unstable angina
Stable = on exertion Unstable = on rest
How many ‘classes’ are there for angina
I-IV
Class IV angina =
Pain comes on at rest
Angina vs MI
Angina: exertional, emotional stress, cold, relieved by rest or GTN, 2-10 mins
MI: rest, gradually builds up and lasts for 30+ minutes, no releif with rest or GTN, associated symptoms (fear, breathless, nausea, sweating)
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium
Pericarditis is most commonly caused by
Viral infection
Character of pericarditis pain
Sharp, stabbing
Worse on inspiration
Worse lying flat, eased by sitting
Hrs-days
Character of aortic dissection pain
Sudden, tearing, knife-like
Excruciating
Radiates to back
In 50% of cases, aortic dissection presents as
Abdominal pain
Character of pain in PE:
Pleuritic (sharp, stabbing, burning)
Worse in expiration/inspiration
Alongside pain, what usually occurs in a PE?
Shortness of breath
Abnormal uncomfortable awareness of breathing
Dyspnoea
faster breathing than normal
Tachypnoea
Tachypnoea =
> 20 bpm
Breathlessness in pulmonary oedema =
Abrupt
Orthopnoea
Cold, clammy
Pink frothy sputum
Orthopnoea
Breathlessness when lying flat
PND =
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
Features of PND =
Wake from sleep, have to sit up
Frightening
