Cardiovascular evaluation of adolescents and young adults

Cardiac findings in adolescents and young adults are usually normal, and most murmurs and other abnormalities that are found are benign. However, the primary care physician needs to obtain a complete personal and family history and perform a thorough physical examination to rule out cardiovascular disease and its precursors. Of primary concern are a personal or family history of syncope, family history of sudden death, and several pathologic murmurs such as those caused by mitral valve prolapse and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The physician may need to reassure the patient until a definitive diagnosis is made and can also provide accurate information on cardiac disease prevention.