specific questions to ask in a cardio history

Question 1

system review questions

Answer 1

chest pain
SOB - rest/exertion
breathlessness lying flat - how many pillows at night
palpitations
ankle swelling
pain in calves on walking

Question 2

questions for symptoms of CVD

Answer 2

chest pain
SOB
orthopnoea
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
ankle oedema
cough, sputum, haemoptysis
dizziness
light-headedness
presyncope/syncope
palpitations
nausea & sweating

Question 3

risk factors to ask about for ischaemic heart disease

Answer 3

male
age
smoking
HTN
diabetes
FHx of IHD
hypercholesteolaemia
physical inactivity/obesity

Question 4

further questions for chest pain

Answer 4

where
how did it come one - acute
describe feeling
does it radiate anywhere
any sweating, nausea, SOB, palpiations
what were you doing when it came on
does anything make it worse - exercise, smoking, stress, cold, after meals, lying flat
does anything make it better - rest, meds, O2
pain scale 1-10

Question 5

further questions on SOB

Answer 5

how did it come on - sudden, gradual, acute on chronic
any other symptoms - sweating, nausea, pain, cough, sputum, palpitations, weight gain
what were you doing when it came on - rest, exercise, night
anything make it worse - lying down
anything make it better - O2, sitting up, rest, meds
how does it effect you ADLs

Question 6

questions about exercise tolerance

Answer 6

how far can you walk on flat before you need to stop and rest?
what is it that limits how far you can walk
do you feel SOB when you walk, such as up hills /stairs
do you have any discomfort/tightness in your chest when you walk?
how long ago did you notice this starting?
has it got worse?
how far could you walk a month/year ago?

Question 7

questions to ask on palpiations

Answer 7

have you had any palpitations or awareness of your heart racing
does anything seem to provoke it
does it start suddenly or build up gradually
does it stop suddenly or gradually
how long does it last
do you have any other symptoms with the palpiations
can you tap the rhythm
is it fast ot slow

Question 8

specific cardiac PMHx questions

Answer 8

similar episodes
prev. cardiac surgery
HTN
hypercholesterlaemia
anaemia
diabetes
angina
MI
Stroke/TIA
peripheral vascular diasease
cardiac failure
rheumatic fever

Question 9

social history cardiac history questions

Answer 9

occupation
smoking
alcohol
diet
stress

Question 10

family history for cardiac history

Answer 10

any IHD in family
any stroke/death below age of 65
any young sudden deaths