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 Physical Exam
Introduction
The cardiovascular physical exam is a crucial part of evaluating heart health. It helps doctors detect heart diseases, such as hypertension, heart failure, and valvular disorders. This exam involves inspecting, palpating, and auscultating different regions of the chest and assessing circulation.
Key Components
1. Inspection
- Observe for signs of cyanosis (bluish skin), pallor (pale skin), or edema (swelling in the legs and feet).
- Check for visible pulsations in the neck and chest that may indicate abnormal heart activity.
2. Palpation
- Feel for a point of maximal impulse (PMI) – normally at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line.
- Assess for thrills (palpable vibrations suggestive of turbulent blood flow due to valve abnormalities).
- Check peripheral pulses (radial, femoral, dorsalis pedis) to evaluate circulation and symmetry.
3. Auscultation (Listening to Heart Sounds)
- Use a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds in four key areas:
- Aortic area: Right 2nd intercostal space.
- Pulmonic area: Left 2nd intercostal space.
- Tricuspid area: Lower left sternal border.
- Mitral area: 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line.
- Identify normal S1 and S2 heart sounds.
- Detect abnormal sounds like murmurs (indicating valve disorders) or extra heart sounds (S3, S4, common in heart failure).
4. Blood Pressure Measurement
- High blood pressure may indicate hypertension, increasing risks of stroke and heart disease.
- Low blood pressure may suggest heart failure or vascular issues.
Conclusion
A thorough cardiovascular physical exam is essential for diagnosing and managing heart diseases early. Regular check-ups allow early intervention, promoting heart health.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on Hypertension
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2024/02/05/11/43/2023-ESH-Hypertension-Guideline-Update
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000065
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2017/11/09/11/41/2017-Guideline-for-High-Blood-Pressure-in-Adults
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.054602
- https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/11/08/11/47/mon-5pm-bp-guideline-aha-2017
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
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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.
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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.