Leicester Medical School

Cardiovascular System Examination Checklist

Preparation Comments
Introduction

Consent and Explanation

Wash Hands

Position patient appropriately


General Inspection Comments
Is the patient breathing comfortably?
Conscious Level?
Is the patient in any pain?
Colour?
Items of note around bed?

Hands Comments
Clubbing

Palmar creases (anaemia)
Splinter haemorrhages
Peripheral Cyanosis
Capillary Refill
Oslers nodes
J aneway lesions
Tar staining

Radial Pulse Comments
Pulse: rate, rhythm, character, volume
Collapsing Pulse (if relevant)
Radial-radial delay

Arms Comments
Brachial pulses
Blood pressure



Face Comments
Anaemia
Corneal arcus
Xanthalasma
Mitral facies
Dental hygiene
Central cyanosis

Neck Comments
J VP

Carotid pulses

Chest - Inspection Comments
Scars

Pacemaker
Visible pulsation

Chest - Palpation Comments
Apex beat

Heaves
Thrills

Chest - Auscultation Comments
Apex/Mitral area

Tricuspid area
Pulmonary area
Aortic area
Axilla
Mitral area (with bell, pt rolled to left)
Carotids
Sitting forward, 5th ICS, left sternal edge
Lung bases pulmonary oedema

Peripheral Oedema Comments
Sacrum

Feet/ankles/legs



Completing the Examination Comments
Abdominal exam for ascites
Hepatosplenomegaly

Full peripheral vascular examination
- radial and brachial pulses
- carotids
- abdominal aorta
- femoral arteries
- popliteals
- foot pulses

Fundoscopy
Bedside investigations
- temperature
- urine dipstick