ABSTRACT
History A 75-year-old retired mechanic presents with shortness of breath on exertion and palpitations present for 1 week. He has had minimal ankle swelling, but no paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, orthopnoea or chest pain. He has a past medical history of hypertension for which he takes bendrofluazide 2.5 mg/daily. He is an ex-smoker (gave up 12 years ago smoking 30/day from the age of 15). He drinks four cups of tea a day and drinks three pints of strong lager per night.
