Urgent (<5 days) | Immediate (ER referral) | |
New asymptomatic murmur requiring echocardiography Stable bradycardia (HR 40–59 bpm) with no symptoms or red flags Stable angina symptoms with no ECG changes or high-risk features Palpitations without syncope, abnormal ECG, or structural disease Mild valvular heart disease requiring periodic follow-up Chronic stable heart failure (e.g., NYHA I–II) for therapy optimization Borderline or unclear ECG/echo findings requiring clarification Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (e.g., peripartum, viral) for ongoing care & follow-up Persistent High LDL-C despite maximum tolerated dose statin. Familial or congenital heart disease screening & ongoing care | New-onset heart failure symptoms (no hypoxia or hemodynamic instability) Unexplained or recurrent syncope with normal ECG Moderate valvular disease with new or worsening symptoms Palpitations with ECG findings (e.g., SVT, WPW, frequent PVCs) AF with poor rate control but stable hemodynamics Post-MI follow-up with concern for LV dysfunction, arrhythmia, or ICD evaluation Elevated troponin without acute coronary syndrome (e.g., CKD-related) Frequent or symptomatic ectopic beats (PAC/PVC) requiring risk stratification Uncontrolled angina despite therapy, low suspicion of acute ACS | Suspected STEMI/ACS or dynamic ECG changes suggestive of ischemia. Symptomatic bradycardia (HR <40 bpm) with hypotension or syncope Decompensated heart failure (e.g., pulmonary edema, low O2, orthopnea) Unstable arrhythmia (e.g., AF with RVR + hypotension, VT) Hypertensive emergency (BP ≥180/120 + signs of retinal, cardiac, renal, or CNS damage) Syncope with abnormal ECG (e.g., AV block, Brugada, QTc >500 ms) Suspected aortic dissection (severe tearing chest pain + unequal BP) Cardiac tamponade features (e.g., Beck’s triad, effusion with shock) Pacemaker or ICD malfunction with symptoms or inappropriate shocks |
Prepared & reviewed by: Dr. Fahad Saad Almutairi, Dr. Bader Thuwaini Alanazi