CVS Flashcards
Give one risk factor for cardiac chest pain
High bp
What does SOCRATES stand for
Site = central, left, right
Onset = sudden, over time, at rest, on exertion
Character = dull, sharp, aching, pressure, heaviness, tightness, pleuritic
Radiation= shoulder, jaw, neck, back
Alleviating factors =rest, position, pain relief,
Time = duration of symptoms
Exacerbating factors = exertion, position, food
Severity = 1-10
Where does cardiac chest pain classically radiate to
The jaw or left arm
What can be given to treat angina symptoms
GTN spray = Glyceryl Trinitrate Spray
What is the classical cardiac chest pain in terms of SOCRATES
S. Centre of the chest 0. Sudden onset C. Dull or crushing R. Left arm, neck, jaw A. Nausea, sweating, breathlessness T. 10 mins to an hour E. Exertion, cold air, relieved by rest, GTN spray S. Mild to v severe (can be angina attack, severe angina attack, MI)
Many people, esp women, can present with atypical symptoms
What is stable angina usually brought on by
Exertion
What can unstable angina be brought on by
At rest
How is angina relieved
Rest
GTN spray
When can acute coronary syndrome come on
At rest or exertion
What might chest pain that is NOT relived by rest or GTN spray be caused by
Acute coronary syndrome
What is acute coronary syndrome
A range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. Eg, an MI
What is angina
Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles, not usually life threatening but could be a warning sign that you are at risk of heart attack or stroke
What kind of presentation would point towards acute coronary syndrome rather than angina
Last longer than usually angina symptoms More severe pain More associated symptoms Not relieved by rest of GTN spray Can come on at rest/ exertion
What is dyspnoea
Breathlessness
What is orthopnoea
Breathlessness lying flat
Can ask about how many pillows a patient sleeps on
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
Sudden breathlessness waking up from sleep
Classical sign of heart failure
What kind of oedema may be present in patients with heart disease
Pitting
If patient is more mobile where might an oedema collect
Ankle
If less mobile, oedema may collect in sacral area, or abdominal wall
How may patients describe their palpitations
Rapid, regular, irregular,
Slow, feeling of missed beats, sudden thumping
What other common presenting symptoms in CVS disease should you ask about
Dyspnoea
Oedema
Palpitations
Syncope/ presyncope
What is the brief structure of a history
- History of presenting complaint and related SE
- Past medical history: active (eg, also has DM) and inactive problems (has previously had gall bladder removed with no current problems)
- Systematic enquiry - build this around the active problems eg, is DM well controlled
- Drug history - how they receive meds, allergies = and ask about the reaction
- Social history = eg, drugs, work, how mobile,
Consider risk factors
Non CVS causes of chest pain related to respiratory system
cough, temperature, haemoptysis, risk factors for PE
Non CVS causes of chest pain related to GI
pain related to eating, reflux, burning, indigestion, swallowing difficulty, vomiting regurgitation