Specialty hub
Cardiology - Diseases & USMLE MCQs
10 clinical summaries in cardiology - each with pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, management, high-yield pearls, sample USMLE MCQs and an illustration from our medical library. Free to read, no login.
Acute Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium causing sharp pleuritic chest pain, friction rub and diffuse ST elevation. Most often viral or idiopathic; risk of pericardial effusion and tamponade.
Reviewed 12 Jul 2026
Aortic Stenosis
Progressive calcific narrowing of the aortic valve causing left ventricular pressure overload, angina, syncope and heart failure. Leading valvular disease in the elderly.
Reviewed 2 Jun 2026
Atrial Fibrillation
Most common sustained arrhythmia; irregular chaotic atrial activity causing irregularly irregular ventricular response with high stroke risk from atrial thrombus.
Reviewed 1 Jun 2026
Coronary Atherosclerosis and Stable Angina
Progressive lipid-driven arterial wall inflammation forming plaques that narrow coronary lumina and predispose to acute coronary syndromes.
Reviewed 12 May 2026
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Thrombus in deep veins, usually of the lower limb. Risk = Virchow triad. Presents with unilateral leg swelling and pain; diagnosed by compression ultrasound and treated with anticoagulation.
Reviewed 23 May 2026
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Left (or biventricular) chamber dilation with systolic dysfunction (LVEF <=40%) not solely due to ischaemia. Common causes: familial (TTN), viral myocarditis, alcohol, chemotherapy (anthracyclines) and peripartum.
Reviewed 18 Jun 2026
Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
Systolic heart failure with LVEF <=40% due to ischaemic or non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy; four-pillar guideline-directed medical therapy dramatically improves outcomes.
Reviewed 2 Jul 2026
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Autosomal-dominant sarcomeric disease causing asymmetric septal hypertrophy, dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction and increased sudden cardiac death risk in young athletes.
Reviewed 22 Jul 2026
Infective Endocarditis
Microbial infection of the endocardium (typically valves) producing vegetations, valvular destruction, systemic embolism and immune-complex disease.
Reviewed 12 Jul 2026
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Chronic valvular sequela of acute rheumatic fever after group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Mitral stenosis is most typical. Preventable by early antibiotic treatment of strep throat.
Reviewed 15 Jun 2026
Practice cardiology MCQs free
Sample MCQs from every disease, timed mock exams and AI explanations - free 7-day trial.
Start free trial