A

• Angina Pectoris – Chest pain due to myocardial ischemia; typically described as pressure-like, retrosternal, and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

• Ankle Swelling – Common symptom of heart failure due to fluid retention (peripheral edema).

• Arrhythmia – Irregular heartbeat; patient may report palpitations, dizziness, or syncope.

B

• Breathlessness (Dyspnea) – Difficulty breathing; may be exertional or at rest, often seen in heart failure.

• Baseline Exercise Tolerance – Patient’s usual physical activity level; helps assess functional cardiac capacity.

C

• Claudication (Intermittent) – Cramp-like pain in the legs during exercise due to peripheral arterial disease; relieved by rest.

• Chest Tightness – A common descriptor of cardiac chest pain; must be differentiated from non-cardiac causes.

• Congenital Heart Disease – Structural heart defects present from birth; inquire about childhood surgeries or cyanosis.

D

• Dizziness – A sensation of light-headedness, may indicate hypotension, arrhythmia, or poor cerebral perfusion.

• Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE) – Shortness of breath during activity; early sign of left-sided heart failure.

E

• Edema – Fluid accumulation, commonly in the legs; a hallmark of right-sided heart failure or venous insufficiency.

• Exertional Syncope – Loss of consciousness during physical activity; may suggest aortic stenosis or arrhythmias.

F

• Fatigue – Common but non-specific symptom of chronic heart failure, often described as reduced energy levels.

• Family History of Cardiovascular Disease – Important risk factor for inherited conditions like cardiomyopathies, hypertension, or early MI.

G

• Gallop Rhythm (Reported) – Patient might not describe this, but clinicians should inquire about known abnormal heart rhythms.

• Graded Chest Pain – Describing chest pain severity using scales (e.g., 1–10) helps monitor symptom progression.

H

• Heart Murmur (History of) – Ask about previously diagnosed heart murmurs which may indicate valvular disease.

• Hypertension (HTN) – A major risk factor; ask about diagnosis, treatment adherence, and complications.

• Hyperlipidemia – High cholesterol; inquire about lipid profiles and treatment.

I

• Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) – A history of angina, MI, or coronary interventions suggests IHD; detailed exploration is key.

• Implanted Devices – Such as pacemakers or defibrillators; ask about indications and follow-up.

J

• Jugular Venous Distension (Reported/Observed) – Patient may report neck vein swelling; often a sign of right heart failure.

K

• Kussmaul Breathing – Though more often observed than reported, it suggests severe heart failure or constrictive pericarditis.

L

• Leg Pain at Night – Could suggest rest pain from peripheral arterial disease; indicates advanced ischemia.

• Light-headedness – May suggest hypotension, arrhythmia, or valvular obstruction.

M

• Myocardial Infarction (MI) – Ask about history, age at occurrence, and treatment; MI history shapes risk stratification.

• Medication History – Includes antihypertensives, statins, antiplatelets, anticoagulants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.

N

• Nocturnal Dyspnea – Sudden shortness of breath at night; commonly seen in heart failure.

• Nitroglycerin Use – Ask whether nitroglycerin relieves chest pain; helps differentiate angina from non-cardiac pain.

O

• Orthopnea – Difficulty breathing when lying flat; indicates left-sided heart failure.

• Occupational Risk Factors – Jobs involving stress, prolonged sitting, or exposure to chemicals may impact cardiovascular health.

P

• Palpitations – Awareness of one’s heartbeat; may be described as fast, irregular, pounding, or fluttering.

• Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND) – Sudden, severe breathlessness at night requiring the patient to sit up; common in left heart failure.

• Past Medical History (PMH) – Focus on diseases like diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, and previous cardiac interventions.

Q

• Quality of Chest Pain – Important descriptor (e.g., sharp, stabbing, dull, pressure) for differentiating cardiac from non-cardiac causes.

R

• Radiation of Pain – Cardiac pain typically radiates to the left arm, neck, or jaw; helps in differentiating angina from other causes.

• Risk Factors – Include smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, family history, and sedentary lifestyle.

S

• Syncope – Temporary loss of consciousness; investigate trigger, duration, and recovery to assess for cardiac causes.

• Sweating (Diaphoresis) – Often accompanies myocardial infarction or angina.

• Sexual History – Erectile dysfunction can be an early marker of vascular disease.

T

• Tobacco Use – A major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor; always inquire about smoking history (pack-years).

• Thromboembolic Events – Ask about previous strokes, DVTs, or PEs; may relate to atrial fibrillation or clotting disorders.

U

• Unexplained Weight Gain – May suggest fluid retention in heart failure.

• Urgency of Symptoms – Acute vs. chronic onset influences urgency of intervention.

V

• Valvular Disease History – Ask about previous rheumatic fever, valve surgeries, or diagnosis of murmurs or stenosis/regurgitation.

W

• Walking Distance Before Symptoms – Helps assess functional capacity and severity of ischemia or heart failure.

• Work-Up of Symptoms – Ask about prior ECGs, ECHOs, angiograms, or stress tests.