What are the eight questions to ask about each symptom during a cardiovascular history?

Key points

• As for any symptom in the history, each cardiovascular symptom should be described in terms of onset, duration, course, and severity.
• Ask about precipitating and relieving factors, including any treatment tried.
• Enquire about associated features or other symptoms that occur with the main symptom.
• Check whether the patient has had previous episodes of the same symptom.