Lesson 1Targeted review of systems to differentiate cardiac, pulmonary, GI, musculoskeletal causesYou will practise a focused review of body systems to separate heart-related from lung, stomach, or muscle issues, concentrating on vital questions that narrow possibilities swiftly without postponing critical treatment.
Cardiac ROS for ischemia and pericarditisPulmonary ROS for PE and pneumothoraxGastrointestinal ROS for reflux and ulcerMusculoskeletal and chest wall questionsPrior similar episodes and chronicityLesson 2Open-ended and presenting complaint questions (onset, character, radiation, severity, duration)This part shows how to start the talk openly, use guiding prompts, then detail start time, nature, spread, intensity, and length. Focus is on steering clear of prejudice, noting timelines, and rating discomfort precisely.
Building rapport and opening the interviewUsing open-ended questions for chest painClarifying onset and temporal patternCharacter, location, and radiation of painSeverity scales and impact on functionLesson 3Associated symptoms (dyspnea, diaphoresis, nausea, syncope, palpitations)You will systematically inquire about breathlessness, sweating, sickness, fainting, and irregular beats, learning to read symptom mixes pointing to heart blockage, rhythm issues, or other conditions.
Characterizing dyspnea and orthopneaDiaphoresis and autonomic activationNausea, vomiting, and epigastric painSyncope, presyncope, and red flagsPalpitations and arrhythmia cluesLesson 4Social history and substance use (smoking quantity, alcohol, recreational drugs, occupational, recent travel)You will explore tobacco use, drink, street substances, job type, and latest journeys, linking these to heart risks, lung clots, and other pain sources with care.
Quantifying tobacco exposure in pack-yearsAlcohol intake and cardiomyopathy riskCocaine and stimulant-associated ischemiaOccupational and environmental exposuresTravel history and venous thromboembolismLesson 5Family history of premature cardiovascular disease or sudden deathYou will identify family details that raise risks, ask sensitively about early heart problems or unexpected passing, and record ages, conditions, and kin links clearly.
Defining premature cardiovascular diseaseKey questions about sudden cardiac deathDocumenting affected relatives and agesHereditary lipid and cardiomyopathy cluesHandling sensitive family discussionsLesson 6Recent infections, trauma, or surgeries and thromboembolic risk factors (immobility, cancer, estrogen use)You will connect fresh sicknesses, injuries, or operations to pain causes, spotting clot risks like stillness, tumours, or hormone pills that signal lung vessel blocks.
Recent respiratory or systemic infectionsChest trauma and musculoskeletal injuryPostoperative and immobilization risksCancer, estrogen, and thrombophilia historyWhen to suspect pulmonary embolismLesson 7Provoking/relieving factors and timing (exertion, position, meals, respiration)This covers how effort, posture, food, or breathing alter pain. You will tell apart heart squeeze, heart lining inflammation, acid reflux, or lung lining pain by probing triggers, easing factors, and daily patterns.
Exertional angina and demand ischemiaPositional clues to pericardial diseaseMeal-related and reflux-associated painRespiratory and pleuritic pain patternsNocturnal and rest pain red flagsLesson 8Past medical history and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, prior coronary disease)This reviews drawing out old health records and heart risks like high pressure, high fats, sugar sickness, past blockages, and their effect on likelihood and speed needed.
Documenting prior coronary eventsHypertension and end-organ damage historyHyperlipidemia and treatment adherenceDiabetes, kidney disease, and riskOther vascular and stroke historyLesson 9Medication, allergy, and anticoagulation history (current meds, aspirin/statin use, allergies)This targets exact drug lists, shop-bought pills, blood thinners, fat pills, and spotting reactions key to urgent pain handling.
Verifying current prescription medicationsOver-the-counter and herbal productsAntiplatelet, statin, and anticoagulant useClarifying true drug allergies vs side effectsImplications for acute chest pain therapyLesson 10How to document and phrase questions clearly and compassionately for exam reports and handoversThis teaches plain wording, no specialist talk, keeping kindness. Practise note structure, key yes/no points, short reports, and secure shift passes.
Using patient-centered, nonjudgmental languageStructuring focused chest pain questionsSummarizing key positives and negativesWriting concise exam notes and reportsSafe, structured handover communication
