Cardio Flashcards
What is the primary target blood pressure range for hypertensive patients, according to UK guidelines?
Below 140/90 mmHg for hypertensive patients
Name three lifestyle modifications that are crucial for preventing cardiovascular disease
Advising patients to quit smoking, adopt a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, and engage in regular physical activity.
What does the QRISK3 tool evaluate?
Assesses the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease, incorporating various risk factors. It is recommended for use every 5 years in general practice.
What is the first-line pharmacological intervention for hypercholesterolemia, and what is the target LDL cholesterol level?
Statins are the first-line treatment for hypercholesterolemia, aiming to achieve an LDL cholesterol level below 2mmol/K, or a 40% reduction if the baseline is between 2 and 3.5 mmol/L
When advising diabetic patients on cardiovascular risk reduction, what specific blood pressure target is recommended, and what medication class is preferred for hypertension management in diabetes?
Blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, with ACEIs or ARBs.
What types of heart conditions are managed in a CCU?
You may need treatment or monitoring in a CCU if you have:
had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or unstable angina (can happen as a warning for a heart attack)
heart failure
other serious heart disease, such as a disturbance in heart rhythm (called an arrhythmia, which can be too fast or slow),
a heart infection
had heart surgery.
What specific hemodynamic parameter is closely monitored in the coronary care unit (CCU) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and how often is it assessed?
In STEMI patients in the CCU, continuous monitoring of pulmonary artery wedge pressure is essential, typically assessed every 15-30 minutes, to guide prompt interventions based on hemodynamic status.
Describe two immediate interventions performed in the CCU for a patient presenting with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
In the CCU, immediate defibrillation for ventricular fibrillation and rapid administration of intravenous amiodarone for sustained ventricular tachycardia are crucial interventions to restore normal cardiac rhythm.
When admitting a patient with suspected unstable angina to the CCU, detail the specific continuous monitoring measures employed to assess their cardiovascular status.
Continuous ECG monitoring, frequent blood pressure assessments (at least every 15 minutes), and continuous oxygen saturation monitoring are implemented in the CCU for patients with suspected unstable angina to promptly detect any changes in clinical status.
For a heart failure patient admitted to the CCU with acute pulmonary edema, outline two initial interventions carried out to address their respiratory distress.
In the CCU, immediate administration of intravenous diuretics to reduce pulmonary congestion and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation to relieve respiratory distress are primary interventions for heart failure patients with acute pulmonary edema.
What is a per-arrest?
“Peri-arrest” refers to the period immediately preceding a cardiac arrest or a state of imminent cardiac arrest
Any arrhythmia that can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia
Atrial fibrillation
Bradycardia
Why do you get malar flush with mitral stenosis?
- Back pressure of blood into the pulmonary system
- Increased Pulmonary Venous Pressure: The high pressure in the pulmonary veins due to mitral stenosis causes fluid to leak into the interstitial and alveolar spaces of the lungs.
Reduced Gas Exchange: The presence of fluid in the alveoli (pulmonary edema) impairs gas exchange, as the diffusion distance for oxygen to move from the alveoli into the blood is increased. This reduces the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream, leading to hypoxia.
