Cardiovascular Symptoms

Question 1

What are the causes of dyspnoea?

Answer 1

LVHF, pulmonary embolism, any respiratory cause, anaemia, pain, anxiety.

Question 2

What are the causes of palpitations?

Answer 2

Ectopics, sinus tachycardia, AF, SVT, VT, thyrotoxicosis, anxiety, phaeochromocytoma.

Question 3

What questions should you ask about dyspnoea?

Answer 3

1. SOB at rest/on exertion/lying flat?
2. Exercise tolerance changed?
3. Orthopnoea, number of pillows at night?
4. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (waking at night gasping)?

Question 4

What questions should you ask about palpitations?

Answer 4

1. Characterise - heart beating fast/hard/irregularly?
2. Precipitating/relieving factors?
3. Duration of symptoms/associated chest pain/dyspnoea/dizziness

Question 5

What causes syncope?

Answer 5

Cardiac or CNS events

Question 6

What should you ask about syncope?

Answer 6

1. Chest pain/palpitations/dyspnoea - suggests cardiac cause
2. Aura/headache/limb weakness - suggests CNS cause
3. During episode - pulse? Limb jerking, tongue biting, urinary incontinence?
4. Rapid (arrhythmias) or prolonged recovery (CNS)?