L5 consultation skills for prescribers

what are red flags to look out for when history taking a patient with cardiovascular issues?

•SOB

•Exercise tolerance

•Orthopnoea

•Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (PND)

•Chest pain/Angina

•Palpitations

•Dizziness/blackouts

•Ankle swelling

•Calf/leg pain

•Tiredness

What cardiovascular red flag might indicate heart failure or respiratory compromise and involves difficulty breathing?

Shortness of breath (SOB)

What red flag refers to a reduced ability to perform physical activity without symptoms, and can indicate cardiovascular compromise?

Decreased exercise tolerance

What does it suggest if a patient experiences difficulty breathing when lying flat?

Orthopnoea – a red flag for heart failure

What condition involves sudden breathlessness at night, waking the patient from sleep, and may indicate heart failure?

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (PND)

What classic symptom of coronary artery disease may present as chest discomfort or tightness, especially on exertion?

Chest pain/Angina

What red flag symptom involves awareness of an abnormal heartbeat and could indicate arrhythmia?

Palpitations

What symptoms could suggest a cardiac arrhythmia or structural heart disease if a patient experiences transient loss of consciousness or near-syncope?

Dizziness or blackouts

What might bilateral ankle swelling indicate when taking a cardiovascular history?

: Possible heart failure or fluid overload

What could calf or leg pain suggest in the context of cardiovascular history taking?

peripheral vascular disease or possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

What non-specific symptom, when persistent, may still be a red flag in cardiovascular disease assessment?

Tiredness – especially if unexplained

what are the red flags for GI issues?

• unexplained weight loss or gain

• loss of appetite

• indigestion/ heartburn

• dysphagia (problem swallowing)

• continuous nausea/vomiting

• haematemesis (vomiting fresh blood- due to bleeding occurring in any part of the upper gastric tract)

• abdominal pain

• jaundice

• swellings

• change in bowel habit

• description of stool

what is haematemesis ?

vomiting fresh blood- due to bleeding occurring in any part of the upper gastrointestinal tract)

what are the red flags for respiratory issues you should watch out for when taking history?

• SOB

• exercise tolerance

• chest pain

• wheeze

• cough

• haemoptysis (coughing up blood from your lungs or airways)

• stridor

• hoarse voice

what is haemoptysis

coughing up blood from your lungs or airways

what are the red flag symptoms for history taking when patient has CNS issue?

• headaches

• dizziness

• faints/fits/loss of consciousness

• vision - acuity, diplopia

• hearing

• weakness

• numbness/tingling

• loss of memory/personality change

• anxiety/depression

what are the general red flag symptoms to look out for when taking patient history?

• fatigue

• malaise

• fever

• rigors

• night sweats

• weight change

• appetite

• skin: rashes/bruising

• sleep disturbance

• mood

Shared Decision Making:
 Involving the patient in decisions, Why It Matters?

•Enhances patient satisfaction, trust, and engagement

•Improves understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives

•Respects patient autonomy and values