Examination of the heart

The Cardiovascular examination is a portion of the physical examination that involves evaluation of the cardiovascular system.
It can involve a precordial examination and peripheral vascular examination.
Some portions of the examination may be best performed while sitting up (such as a neck bruit), while other portions may be best performed while lying back at a 30- or 45-degree angle (such as hepatojugular reflux.) Some portions (such as the heart sounds) may be evaluated in both positions, while others (such as the carotid artery auscultation) may be done in either.