ABSTRACT
This chapter presents information or guidance regarding cardiorespiratory medicine for use by medical, scientific or health-care professionals. A family history of sudden cardiac death is very significant and warrants a more urgent investigation. Think of cardiac causes in patients over the age of 50 years. Similarly, unless there is a family history, consider other causes in younger patients. Palpitations may represent an arrhythmia, but most arrhythmias do not produce palpitations. Syncope or a history of IHD makes ventricular tachycardia and other serious arrhythmias more likely, requiring more prompt investigation. The occupational history is very important for a chronic cough – Legal proceedings against employers are very common now especially for conditions such as asbestosis, for which a properly documented cough history and exposure to harmful substances is vital. In a child, consider the possibility of an inhaled foreign body, especially where there is a prominent stridor.
