About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiovascular Examination
Introduction
The cardiovascular examination is a fundamental component of physical assessment and is crucial for identifying heart and vascular diseases. It involves inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the heart and vascular system.
Steps of the Cardiovascular Examination
1. General Inspection
- Observe the patient's general appearance, skin color, and presence of cyanosis or pallor.
- Look for visible pulsations in the neck and any signs of respiratory distress.
2. Vital Signs
- Blood Pressure (BP): Measure in both arms; discrepancies >10 mmHg may suggest aortic dissection.
- Heart Rate & Rhythm: Palpate the radial pulse for rate, rhythm, and volume.
- Respiratory Rate & Oxygen Saturation: Important for assessing cardiac function.
3. Neck Examination
- Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP): A raised JVP may indicate heart failure.
- Carotid pulse assessment: Feel for strength, upstroke, and any bruits with auscultation.
4. Precordial Examination
- Inspection & Palpation:
- Look for visible cardiac impulses.
- Palpate for thrills (vibrations indicating turbulent blood flow, possibly due to a murmur).
- Identify the apex beat (normally found in the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line).
5. Auscultation
- Heart Sounds:
- 1st heart sound (S1): Closure of mitral and tricuspid valves.
- 2nd heart sound (S2): Closure of aortic and pulmonary valves.
- Identify additional sounds (S3, S4) that may indicate heart failure or other pathology.
- Murmurs:
- Characterize based on timing, intensity, pitch, and radiation.
- Systolic murmurs may indicate aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, etc.
- Diastolic murmurs suggest mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation, etc.
6. Peripheral Examination
- Peripheral Pulses: Assess for symmetry, strength, and any impairment.
- Capillary Refill Time: Delayed refill (>2 seconds) may suggest poor perfusion.
- Edema: Check for signs of fluid overload (e.g., ankle swelling in heart failure).
Importance of Cardiovascular Exam
This examination helps diagnose various cardiac conditions such as: - Heart failure - Valvular heart disease - Peripheral artery disease - Hypertension-related complications
Conclusion
A thorough cardiovascular examination is essential for detecting heart diseases early and guiding further investigations, such as echocardiography or ECG.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiovascular Assessment
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8
- https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222018/
2. European Society of Cardiology Clinical Practice Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17726041/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.