General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners Part 1: Cardiovascular system

Cardiovascular disease is commonPain and anxiety increase cardiac load and increase the risk of precipitating angina/ arrhythmiasA thorough history will usually elicit the fact that the patient has cardiovascular disease (summarised in Table 2)Examination of the patient may reveal cardiovascular disease — cyanosis (central/peripheral), shortage of breath, abnormalities in the pulse, finger clubbing, splinter haemorrhages or ankle oedemaDrugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease impact on patient managementTable 2Relevant points in the history with reference to the cardiovascular system•Chest pain•Angina•Myocardial infarction•Hypertension•Medication eg aspirin, warfarin•Syncope•Shortage of breath/exercise tolerance•Rheumatic fever•Infective endocarditis•Cardiac rate/rhythm•Cardiomyopathy•Coronary artery bypass graft•Valve replacements•Congenital disorders•Cardiac transplants•Venous/lymphatic disorders