Cardiac Symptoms and Chest Pain

Cardiac Symptoms

• Cardiac symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, fatigue, and dizziness.
• These symptoms may vary based on the specific cardiac condition.

Chest Pain

• Definition: Chest pain is a discomfort or distress felt in the chest, typically behind the sternum (breastbone).
• Range: Can range from a sharp, stabbing sensation to a dull ache or pressure.
• Causes: Cardiac causes include coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (heart attack), myocarditis, pericarditis, and valvular heart disease.
• Non-cardiac causes include recent trauma, respiratory infections, and meals.

Dyspnea

• Definition: Dyspnea refers to the subjective sensation of difficult or labored breathing.
• Types: Acute-onset dyspnea, exertional dyspnea, nocturnal dyspnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), and orthopnea.
• Causes: Cardiac causes include heart failure, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease. Pulmonary causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and interstitial lung disease. Other respiratory causes include pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax. Metabolic and systemic causes include anemia, obesity, and thyroid disorders. Psychogenic causes include anxiety and panic disorders.

Palpitations

• Definition: Palpitations refer to the perception of an abnormal or irregular heartbeat.
• Causes: Cardiac arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Structural heart issues include valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Hormonal and metabolic causes include thyroid disorders and adrenaline surges. Electrolyte imbalances include low potassium or magnesium levels. Medications and substances that can cause palpitations include stimulants, decongestants, and caffeine. Lifestyle factors include alcohol and drug use, and lack of sleep.

Edema

• Definition: Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the body's tissues, leading to swelling.
• Characteristics of cardiac edema: Dependant, pitting, bilateral, and almost always precedes the appearance of ascites.
• Causes: Heart conditions include heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and nephrotic syndrome. Respiratory causes include pneumonia, COPD, and asthma. Cardiovascular causes include congenital heart defects, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. Blood disorders include anemia and methemoglobinemia. Other causes include cold exposure, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), obstructive sleep apnea, and neurological causes such as central nervous system depression and brainstem dysfunction.

Syncope

• Definition: Syncope refers to a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone resulting from cerebral hypoperfusion.
• Etiology: Cardiac syncope, neurocardiogenic syncope, orthostatic hypotension, and reflex syncope.
• Differential Diagnosis: Syncope can mimic other conditions, including seizures, metabolic disturbances, and psychiatric disorders.
• Evaluation: Detailed history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as electrocardiography (ECG), Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and tilt-table testing may be indicated.
• Management: Treatment aims to address the underlying cause, which may include medication adjustments, pacemaker implantation, or surgical interventions.

This quiz covers the identification of chest pain causes, emergency causes, and types of dyspnea. It also includes the definition of syncope and its causes, in the context of cardiac symptoms.