Cardiology I

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. demonstrate knowledge and skills in cardiology; 2. recognise and manage common cardiac diseases especially in our environment; 3. respond to cardiovascular emergencies; 4. recognise cases that would need referral to specialised centres; 5. attain sound knowledge of the interaction between environment; and 6. identify risk factors, and genes in relation to cardiovascular diseases.

Approach to the evaluation of the cardiac patients and common symptomatology in cardiovascular diseases. Chest pain. Dyspnoea. Orthopnoea. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea and palpitations. Approach to cardiovascular system examination, the precordium, valvular areas, heart sounds and murmurs. Introduction to common cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, heart failure (epidemiology, clinical features, mechanisms/pathophysiology, investigation and diagnosis). Introduction to ECG.