Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards
What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
Acute coronary syndrome includes angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Sympyoms of acute coronary syndrome are caused by myocardial ischemia (poor blood supply).
What is angina pectoris?
Angina is transient chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. The heart’s oxygen demand temporarily exceeds its supply.
What causes angina? What are the signs and symptoms?
Angina is usually caused by atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. It usually occurs during physical activity or stress and resolves with rest, oxygen, or nitroglycerin. Angina does not usually last longer than 10 minutes. Angina does not cause permanent cardiac damage. Presentation is very similar to acute myocardial infarction.
What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in a blood vessel, which can restrict or obstruct blood flow.
What is an acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI)?
A myocardial infarction is death to an area of the myocardial muscle due to lack of oxygenated blood flow through the coronary arteries. Dead myocardial muscle cells become scar tissue and cannot contribute to cardiac contraction. Time to restoration of blood flow through coronary arteries is critical to minimizing carrdiac damage.
What are the signs and symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI)?
Signs and symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction include chest pain or pressure, nausea, weakness, fatigue, dyspnea, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), abnormal vital signs, sudden cardiac arrest, and patient’s denial of the possibility of cardiac emergency or a feeling of impending doom.
