Page 48 - LECTURETTE TOPICS eBOOK

Note: For other than flying branches only – For candidates belonging to the

North East region or hilly regions of Uttaranchal, a lower minimum height of
142 cm will be accepted.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Relevant history. History of chest pain, breathlessness, palpitation, fainting

attacks, giddiness, rheumatic fever, chorea, frequent sore throats and
tonsillitis should be given due consideration in assessment of the

cardiovascular system.

Pulse. The normal pulse rate varies from 60-100 bpm. Persistent sinus
tachycardia (> 100 bpm), after emotional factors and fever are excluded as

causes, as well as, persistent sinus bradycardia (< 60 bpm), should be
referred for specialist opinion to exclude organic causes. Sinus arrhythmia

and vagotonia should be also be excluded.

Candidates are quite prone to develop White Coat Hypertension, which is a
transient rise of Blood Pressure, due to the stress of medical examination.

Every effort must be made to eliminate the White Coat effect by repeated

45