Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Consultation and clinical assessment of the heart and cardiovascular system
1Advanced Clinical Practitioner-Emergency department, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Insights
This guide enhances understanding of cardiac assessment for emergency care professionals. It covers heart anatomy, pathology, history taking, physical examination, and diagnostic investigations for undifferentiated patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Cardiac dysfunction can arise from various pathologies affecting heart anatomy and physiology.
- Effective cardiac assessment is crucial for timely diagnosis and management in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide emergency care practitioners with foundational knowledge for cardiac assessment.
- To outline key elements of cardiac history, physical examination, and initial investigations.
Main Methods:
- Review of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and common pathologies.
- Guidance on eliciting relevant information during patient history taking.
- Description of physical examination techniques for cardiac assessment.
- Introduction to diagnostic investigations for differential diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Key features for cardiac history and examination are detailed.
- Essential investigations to support clinical reasoning are presented.
- Focus remains on identifying potential cardiac issues in undifferentiated emergency patients.
Conclusions:
- This article serves as a foundational guide for cardiac assessment in emergency care.
- Further articles will delve into specific cardiac conditions and diagnostic reasoning for emergency presentations.
Abstract:
This article aims to increase knowledge of cardiac assessment. Anatomy and physiology of the heart are briefly reviewed and reference is made to pathology that can cause cardiac dysfunction. The main features to look for when taking a cardiac history are discussed, with suggestions for questions to elicit this information, and the signs to look for when undertaking a cardiac examination. There is also an introduction to the main investigations to aid differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning. A follow-up article will look in more detail at some common cardiac conditions presenting to emergency care, with an emphasis on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning. These articles are written from an emergency care perspective, and therefore do not focus in great detail on invasive investigation of cardiology conditions, but more so on picking up these possibilities in undifferentiated patients presenting to emergency care.
More Related Videos
10:28Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
10:38Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:29Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection
Head and Neck
01:25Assessment of the Cardiovascular System IV: Auscultation
Normal Heart Sounds
S1 (First Heart Sound)-
S1 is made by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (atrioventricular valves), marking the beginning of systole.
S2 (Second Heart Sound)-
S2 is made by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves), marking the end of the systole.
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
01:29Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...