Which of the following is a sign or symptom suggestive of cardiovascular disease?

• A. Palpitations
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Dizziness or syncope
• D. Orthopnoea

Answer: (A)

Cardiovascular disease often presents with symptoms tied to how the heart beats and how blood flows through the body. Palpitations are an awareness of the heartbeat that feels rapid, irregular, or fluttering, and that direct perception usually points to a rhythm disturbance in the heart, a common cardiovascular issue. Shortness of breath signals that the heart isn’t meeting the body's oxygen needs or that blood is backing up into the lungs, which is typical of heart failure or other cardiac conditions. Dizziness or syncope reflect transient decreases in blood flow to the brain and can result from arrhythmias, valve problems, or other cardiac disturbances. Orthopnoea—trouble breathing when lying flat—strongly suggests fluid overload and left-sided heart failure.

So all of these can signal cardiovascular disease, with palpitations standing out as a particularly direct cue to rhythm problems of the heart.