Cardiac Terminology Flashcards
What is Atherosclerosis?
The buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in the artery walls, leading to hardening and narrowing, which can restrict blood flow
Clients with atherosclerosis may have reduced endurance and increased risk of cardiovascular events, requiring energy conservation techniques.
What is Bradycardia?
Abnormally slow heart rate (under 60 bpm in adults).
Symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, confusion, or syncope.
Be mindful of fatigue and dizziness when engaging clients in ADLs. Monitor vitals if needed.
What is Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden loss of heart function due to electrical malfunction, often linked to abnormal rhythms.
Clients post-cardiac arrest may have cognitive or physical impairments affecting ADLs.
What is Cardiac Cachexia?
Unintentional weight and muscle loss due to chronic heart failure, leading to fatigue and weakness.
Support clients in modifying ADLs and IADLs to conserve energy and maintain independence.
What is Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)?
A surgery to improve blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked arteries using a healthy vessel.
Clients will have sternal precautions, limiting arm movement and weight-bearing during ADLs.
What are Diuretics?
Medications that reduce fluid retention by increasing urine output, commonly used for hypertension and heart failure.
Clients may experience frequent urination and dehydration, affecting their ability to engage in therapy.
What is Dyspnea?
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Teach pacing techniques and energy conservation strategies to help clients manage dyspnea during ADLs.
What is Ejection Fraction (EF)?
The percentage of blood pumped from the left ventricle with each contraction. Normal EF: 50-70%; <40% suggests heart failure.
Clients with low EF may experience fatigue and exercise intolerance, requiring task modifications.
What are METs (Metabolic Equivalents)?
A unit measuring energy expenditure during activities.
1 MET = resting,
10 METs = high exertion (e.g., basketball).
Helps in grading activities to match a client’s cardiac tolerance.
What is Orthopnea?
Shortness of breath while lying down, relieved by sitting up.
When lying down, fluid can accumulate in the lungs, making it harder to breath
Recommend upright positioning during rest and sleep.
What is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)?
A non-surgical procedure (angioplasty) to open blocked arteries using a catheter and stent.
Clients may have activity restrictions post-procedure and need gradual reintroduction of ADLs.
What is Stroke Volume (SV)?
The amount of blood pumped from the left ventricle per heartbeat.
Affects cardiac output and tolerance for activity.
What is Syncope?
Temporary loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.
Clients prone to syncope should be supervised during therapy to prevent falls.
What is Telemetry?
Electronic monitoring of heart rate and rhythm via chest electrodes.
Check activity restrictions before mobilizing clients on telemetry.
What is the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale?
A self-assessment tool to measure exertion on a 0-10 scale
(0 = no exertion,
10 = maximal exertion).
Helps clients self-monitor fatigue levels during ADLs.
Sternal Precautions recommended after open heart surgery, such as CABG, where a median sternotomy is performed.
Length of precautions?
7 Precautions
Restrictions for 6-8 weeks post-surgery, including:
- No lifting anything over 5lbs-10lbs (2.3-4.5kg)
- No excessive twisting or turning of the body
- No pushing or pulling (including using upper extremities to push/pull up in bed)
- Avoid bilateral upper extremity shoulder flexion or abduction above 90 degrees.
- Minimise upper extremity weight-bearing when using equipment
- Encourage chest splinting using a pillow when coughing, sneezing
- No driving until cleared by surgeon
Modify transfers, dressing, and hygiene to avoid strain.
What are Pacemaker & ICD Precautions?
4-6 weeks post-op precautions, including:
- No shoulder flexion/abduction bone 90° (shoulder level) on the affected side
- No lifting more than 5 lbs with affected arm.
- Minimise upper extremity weight bearing
- No driving until cleared
Adapt dressing and grooming techniques to prevent excessive arm movement.
What is Edema?
Edema is a common
complication of CHF) and occurs as a result of sodium and water reabsorption by
the kidneys and expansion of the extracellular fluid.
Teach positioning, compression garments, and activity pacing to reduce swelling.
Edema / Fluid Management
It is important for
individuals to know their dry weight, which is their baseline weight without edema, and to perform daily weight checks to monitor fluid retention, which may be reflected by an increase in weight as well as fatigue
and shortness of breath.
Fluid Retention:
When the heart can’t pump blood efficiently, fluids can build up in the body, leading to symptoms like swelling in the legs, ankles, and lungs, as well as shortness of breath.
Reduced Cardiac Output:
When the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, blood can back up into the veins and capillaries, causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues.
Kidney Dysfunction:
A weakened heart can also affect the kidneys. When the kidneys don’t receive enough blood flow, they may retain fluid and salt.
Hormonal Changes:
The body releases hormones in response to heart failure, such as those that constrict blood vessels and cause the kidneys to retain sodium and water.
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Commonly referred to as a heart attack, acute
myocardial infarction (MI) is the irreversible damage to
heart muscle as a result of coronary artery obstruction
or prolonged lack of oxygen to cardiac tissue. If blood
flow is not restored quickly, cardiac muscle begins to
die and the infarction may be fatal.
Heart Failure / Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
a diagnosis that results from impaired structure and/or function of the ventricles. It is a chronic
progressive condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body and provide organs and
tissues with necessary oxygen and nutrients.
Right sided heart failure & symptoms
The right ventricle is too weak to pump enough deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Symptoms:
- fatigue
- peripheral oedema
- complaints of GI distress
- enlarged liver and spleen
- Ascites (fluid round within abdominal cavity)
Left sided heart failure & symptoms
left ventricular dysfunction - where the heart can’t pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
Symptoms:
- Increased fatigue,
- shortness of breath,
- pulmonary edema/ congestion
- paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
- tachycardia
