Dyspnea physical examination

Dyspnea Microchapters
Patient Information
Overview
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Dyspnea from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Physical Examination

All patients should be evaluated for underlying diseases (especially heart and lung diseases). Detection of the following symptoms and signs are important:

Vitals

Temperature

• Fever

Neck

• Jugular venous distension

Lungs

• Wheezing
• Crackles, rales

Heart

• Heart murmurs
• S3, S4

Extremities

• Peripheral edema
• Palpation of peripheral arteries
• Leg swelling / leg pain / tenderness