Disorders of the cardiovascular system

This chapter deals with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Beginning with common cardiovascular symptoms, the chapter looks at clinical examination methods and investigations employed in assessing the status of the cardiovascular system. This is followed by individual cardiovascular disease entities which include angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure (cardiac failure), cardiac arrhythmias, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), coarctation of aorta (COA), tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), rheumatic fever (RF), infective endocarditis (IE) and hypertension. Each disease entity starts with a definition or description followed by its causes, symptoms, signs, investigations employed, and principles of management. Where relevant, oral and dental aspects of cardiovascular diseases are also described.