Cardiovascular examination
Encyclopedia
The Cardiovascular examination is a portion of the physical examination
that involves evaluation of the cardiovascular system.
It can involve a precordial examination
and peripheral vascular examination
.
Some portions of the examination may be best performed while sitting up (such as a neck bruit
), while other portions may be best performed while lying back at a 30- or 45-degree angle (such as hepatojugular reflux.) Some portions (such as the heart sounds) may be evaluated in both positions, while others (such as the carotid artery
auscultation) may be done in either.
Certain conditions can be identified upon inspection.
Phrases in the writeup can include:
More detailed notes may mention heaves and bruits. Peripheral pulses may be included in a cardiovascular system or in a "Extremities" section.
Physical examination
Physical examination or clinical examination is the process by which a doctor investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease. It generally follows the taking of the medical history — an account of the symptoms as experienced by the patient...
that involves evaluation of the cardiovascular system.
It can involve a precordial examination
Precordial examination
In medicine, the precordial exam, also cardiac exam, is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with chest pain suggestive of a cardiovascular pathology. In reality it's unlikely that this examination would be performed in isolation or in its entirety outside of a...
and peripheral vascular examination
Peripheral vascular examination
In medicine, the peripheral vascular examination is a series of maneuvers to elicit signs of peripheral vascular pathology. It is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with leg pain suggestive of a cardiovascular pathology....
.
Some portions of the examination may be best performed while sitting up (such as a neck bruit
Bruit
Bruit is the term for the unusual sound that blood makes when it rushes past an obstruction in an artery when the sound is auscultated with the bell portion of a stethoscope.The term "bruit" simply refers to the sound...
), while other portions may be best performed while lying back at a 30- or 45-degree angle (such as hepatojugular reflux.) Some portions (such as the heart sounds) may be evaluated in both positions, while others (such as the carotid artery
Carotid artery
Carotid artery can refer to:* Common carotid artery* External carotid artery* Internal carotid artery...
auscultation) may be done in either.
Certain conditions can be identified upon inspection.
Phrases in the writeup can include:
- heart rateHeart rateHeart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, typically expressed as beats per minute . Heart rate can vary as the body's need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as during exercise or sleep....
and rhythm: "regular rate and rhythm" or "RRR" - heart soundsHeart soundsHeart sounds, or heartbeats, are the noises generated by the beating heart and the resultant flow of blood through it...
: "+S1, S2" - murmurMurmurMurmur usually means:*Murmur , a soft-sounded and quiet utterance/talking "under your breath" so it is hard to understand what the speaker is saying*Breathy voice, a type of phonation in speechIt can also refer to:-Medical:...
s, rubs, and gallopsGallop rhythmA gallop rhythm refers to a rhythm of the heart on auscultation. It includes three or four sounds, thus resembling the sounds of a gallop....
: "no m/r/g" - point of maximal impulse: "PMI nondisplaced"
More detailed notes may mention heaves and bruits. Peripheral pulses may be included in a cardiovascular system or in a "Extremities" section.