Cardiology Flashcards
angina pain is…
a type of chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart.
angina pain can be described by…
squeezing, pressure, heaviness, and tightness pain in the chest.
angina pain is the result of…
coronary artery disease
describe coronary artery disease
when the heart itself is not getting enough oxygen to function.
myocardial infarction is…
a heart attack! A blockage of blood flow TO the heart muscle
what are the coronary arteries?
blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the heart in order to support the heart itself.
heart dysrhythmias: what is asystole?
no electric activity, heart is not beating
heart dysrhythmias: what is ventricular fibrillation?
irregular heartbeat, quivers, not pumping blood to the body.
heart dysrhythmias: what is ventricular tachycardia?
lower chambers of the heart beat too fast, not pumping enough blood.
heart dysrhythmias: what is PEA?
pulseless electrical activity, has activity but cannot pump blood.
heart dysrhythmias: what is atrial fibrillation?
irregular and rapid heartbeat
heart dysrhythmias: what is premature ventricular contractions?
PVC’s, extra heart beats
heart dysrhythmias: what is atrial flutter?
rapid heart beat, short circuit in the upper heart.
describe blood flow through the heart.
vena cava, right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, oxygenated in the lungs, pulmonary veins, left atrium, mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, aorta
atrium’s job?
receive blood
ventricle’s job?
pump out blood
oxygenated blood looks like…
bright red
deoxygenated blood looks like…
dark red
what is cardiac output?
a measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute
define perfusion
the flow of blood through body tissues and vessels
what is ischemia?
decreased blood flow
what is atherosclerosis?
cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
occlusion is…
a blockage
what is thromboembolism?
a blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the blood stream
angina pectoris is…
short term chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart. Lasts 3-8 minutes
tachycardia is when…
rapid heart beat of 100+ beats per minute
bradycardia is when…
slow heart beat of less than 60 beats per minute
describe congestive heart failure
the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs.
any condition that weakens the ___ ___ may cause CHF
pumping strength
apply AED when…
patient is pulseless, not breathing, and not responsive
the purpose of a pacemaker is to…
maintain regular cardiac rhythm and rate
a pacemaker is inserted when…
the electrical control system of the heart no longer functions properly.
what does a pacemaker look like and where is it located?
it looks like a silver dollar under the skin in the upper left portion of the chest.
where are automatic implantable cardiac defibrillators located?
attach directly to the heart
what does an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator do?
continuously monitor heart and shock when needed
left ventricular assist devices (LVAD’s) are used to…
enhance the pumping function of the left ventricle.
cardiac arrest is…
the complete cessation of cardiac activity
chain of survival:
-recognition/activation of EMS
-immediate high quality CPR
-rapid defibrillation
-BLS and ALS EMS
-postarrest care
-recovery
in left sided heart failure, what happens to the blood?
blood backs up into the lungs (pulmonary veins and arteries)
in right sided heart failure, what happens to the blood?
blood backs up into the body
signs and symptoms of left sided heart failure
coughing up pink sputum, cyanosis, altered mental status, bilateral crackles, possible high BP, tachycardia and tachypnea, JVD, diaphoresis, chest pain
signs and symptoms of right sided heart failure
JVD, serous fluid accumulation (ascites and pericardium), tachycardia, peripheral edema, past MI
what is ascite?
fluid build up in the abdomen cavity
what is the function of the pericardium?
the sac around the heart that lubricates and protects the heart.
what is pericardial effusion?
when too much fluid surrounds the heart, putting pressure on the heart.
management of CHF?
CPAP if tolerated and progressive enough or high flow oxygen, nitro,
the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in adults is…
cardiac dysrhythmias, which is why early defibrillation is important.
the SA node is responsible for…
is primarily responsible for pacemaking the heart and releasing electricity to pace the heart
the AV node is responsible for…
secondary pacemaker of the heart
bradycardia can lead to ____tension
hypotension
STEMI is?
type of heart attack where the coronary artery is completely blocked.
what is stable angina?
refers to chest pain that occurs predictably during exertion or stress and usually subsides with rest
what is unstable angina?
chest pain can happen at any time, even while resting, and may not be relieved by rest or medication
what is vasospasm occlusion?
narrowing of the arteries
what special finding occurs with LVAD’s
no palpable pulses
what is an aortic aneurysm?
a bulge or enlargement in the wall of the aorta
what is a dissecting aortic aneurysm?
a life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears and separates from the other layers
describe the preload of the heart
volume of blood in ventricles at the end of diastole
describe the afterload of the heart
resistance left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood
describe stroke volume
the amount of blood ejected from the ventricle with each cardiac cycle
describe cardiac output
the amount of blood the heart pumps in 1 minute
in regards to the ECG, what is artifact?
electrical interference that can make it difficult to diagnosis
what do baroreceptors do?
regulate the blood pressure!
