Cardiovascular pathologies and their detection at the initial therapist's examination

The article considers modern approaches to the detection of cardiovascular pathologies at the stage of primary examination by a general practitioner. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, which emphasises the importance of their early diagnosis. The main clinical manifestations of CVD are presented, to which attention should be paid during history taking and physical examination, including patient complaints, auscultation, blood pressure and pulse measurements. For clarifying the diagnosis, particular attention is paid to initial diagnostic algorithms and the use of instrumental methods, such as ECG. The authors discuss key CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity and diabetes mellitus and emphasise the importance of a preventive approach. Emphasis is placed on the role of therapist in timely referral of patients to a cardiologist for in-depth evaluation and treatment. The results of the article emphasise the need to integrate a comprehensive approach to the detection of CVDs in the practice of primary care physicians to improve the efficiency of diagnosis and reduce mortality.