Cardiology

• What are some serious causes of cardiac-sounding chest pain?

  Myocardial infarction, dissecting aneurysm
• What does constricting chest pain suggest?

  Angina, oesophageal spasm, or pulmonary embolism
• What type of pain suggests myocardial infarction (MI)?

  Squeezing, dull, central crushing pain
• Where can pain from myocardial infarction radiate to?

  Shoulder, arms, or neck
• What characterizes the pain of aortic dissection?

  Intense, tearing, and interscapular pain
• What may epigastric pain indicate?

  It may be cardiac in nature
• What can precipitate cardiac pain?

  Cold, exercise, palpitations, or anxiety
• What does pain relief by rest or glyceryl trinitrate suggest?

  It may indicate angina
• How does pericarditic pain respond to leaning forward?

  It improves on leaning forward
• What symptoms may accompany cardiac pain?

  Dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting, or sweating
• What causes angina?

  Coronary artery disease
• What is Tietze’s syndrome associated with?

  Tenderness with chest pain
• What does pleuritic pain imply?

  Inflammation of the pleura
• What can cause pleuritic pain?

  Pulmonary infection, inflammation, or infarction
• What should be checked in a patient with chest pain and acute illness?

  Pulse, BP in both legs, ECG
• What is a famous trap in diagnosing chest pain?

  Aortic dissection, ruptured oesophagus
• What may dyspnoea indicate?

  Cardiovascular, pulmonary, or respiratory causes
• What specific symptoms are associated with heart failure?

  Orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
• What is associated with acute onset dyspnoea?

  Pulmonary embolism
• What can cause palpitations?

  Ectopics, sinus tachycardia, AF
• What should be characterized in a history of palpitations?

  Heart beating fast, hard, or irregularly
• What may syncope reflect?

  Cardiac or cardiovascular events
• What are common symptoms of vasovagal fainting?

  Chest pain, palpitations, or dyspnoea
• What does rapid recovery after syncope suggest?

  Possible arrhythmia
• What factors help identify cardiac pain?

  • Normal 6-12h after onset
  • Stabbing, shooting pain less likely
  • Pain lasting <30s less likely
  • Well-localized left sub-mammary pain less likely
  • Continually varying intensity less likely
  • Youth less likely
  • 25% of non-cardiac pain related to posture/activity
• What are the potential causes of non-cardiac chest pain?

  • Costochondritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Lymphatic adenopathy
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Imaging: bone scintigraphy
• What is the significance of the phrase "pain in my chest" from a patient?

  It may indicate various underlying issues
• Why might patients avoid using the word "pain"?

  They may describe it as "sharp" instead
• What is important when taking a history for cardiac pain?

  A good history considering various factors
• What is the role of a healthcare provider in labeling symptoms?

  To provide a local label for symptoms
• What is the significance of varying questioning with patients?

  To help them describe their feelings accurately
• What should not be asked regarding chest pain location?

  Does it go into your arm?
• What is the importance of palpation in diagnosing chest pain?

  To exclude other causes of pain
• What is costosternal joint swelling associated with?

  Costochondritis
• What imaging technique is mentioned for diagnosing chest pain causes?

  Bone scintigraphy
• What is the dialogue transformed into regarding chest pain?

  • Specific local label for symptoms
  • From "airy restlessness" to "a lump in the chest"
• The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins, while the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava.
• The right ventricle is the chamber that pumps blood to the lungs.
• The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle, while the mitral (bicuspid) valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
• Cold Sweats


  Sweating that occurs without any apparent reason.