Heart Disease

• Comorbid factors
  • Cardiogenic brain embolism
  • Concomitant HIV disease
  • Ejection fraction of 20% or less
  • History of cardiac arrest or syncope
  • Recurrent CHF or signs and symptoms of CHF at rest
  • Symptomatic SV or Ventricular arrhythmia
• Increased use of cardiac medications
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Diuretics
  • Nitrates
  • Vasodilators
• Signs and symptoms of worsening cardiac status
  • Angina
  • Ascites
  • Cachexia
  • Chest pain (increased)
  • Defibrillator/pacemaker
  • Diaphoresis
  • Dyspnea (on exertion or at rest)
  • JVD (distended neck veins)
  • Edema
  • S3/S4 rhythm (gallop)
  • Hypertension
  • Hypotension (may be orthostatic)
  • Increased frequency of TIAs
  • Irregular heart rate/murmur
  • Leg cramps/tingling
  • Mottling/cyanosis
  • Orthopnea
  • Slow capillary refill
  • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
  • Palpitations
  • Rales
  • Restlessness
  • Syncope
  • Varicosities
  • Weakness