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Snow Way to Take Care of Your Heart
While snowmobiling with friends, a 58-year-old man develops crushing substernal chest pain. Has his 2-month history of “twinges” finally caught up...
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A New Valve—and a Change of Heart?
After a recent tricuspid valve replacement, this 64-year-old man is at relative ease. But will the postop exam give him cause for concern?
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Enough Fuss; She Wants Lunch!
This 74-year-old woman doesn’t see why her rapid heart rate warrants all the workup—particularly if it means missing a meal. What will an ECG...
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His Heart’s Awkward Timing
For 2 days, this man’s heart has intermittently started to race and then returned to normal. Will your assessment get him back on pace?
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Staying Awake to Evade Death
Night after night, this 64-year-old man has feared going to sleep because his heart might fatally skip a beat. Will your analysis of the ECG allow...
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Follow Where She Leads
This 75-year-old woman had been doing well in follow-up for aortic stenosis, but her recently increasing dyspnea has led her to the clinic. What...
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Don’t Worry, It’s Just a Valve Problem
This 49-year-old woman hasn’t exactly followed up on the “valve problem” she was told she has. Can you elucidate the issue for her?
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Hanging by a Thread
Even a heart attack wouldn’t stop this 54-year-old man from working. But a rock-climbing injury has knocked him off course. Will your preoperative...
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Coughing Won’t Pay the Bills
After 5 hard days of “the flu,” a 57-year-old man just wants to get some sleep and get back to work. But is there something more to his persistent...
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A Vital Clue to the Problem
While a 76-year-old rancher is recovering from surgical repair of a femoral fracture, his vital signs raise concern.
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She Won’t Quit—But Will Her Heart?
After sustaining a distal left tibial fracture while snowshoeing, a woman presents for preoperative workup. Although she appears in good health,...
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Beer Before Liquor Affects the Ticker
A night of drinking with the boys leaves a 34-year-old man with a fluttering sensation in his chest. Is it really the brews to blame?
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A Method to His Madness
At 34, this man already has a history of malignant hypertension and poor medication compliance. When he arrives at the emergency department in a...
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The Rancher, the Roof, and the Rogue Heart
Falling from his roof while preparing for winter has barely slowed down this 74-year-old rancher. But will his heart hold up?
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No Walk in the Park
After being found unresponsive in a park, a 47-year-old man is transported to your facility—and you recognize him as a patient who left against...