Cardiology- Chest pain Flashcards
Cardiac causes of chest pain
CAD - ANGINA
Aortic Valve Disease
Pulmonary Hypertension
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Pericarditis
Hypertrophic CMO
Myocarditis
Pulmonary causes of chest pain
Pulmonary Embolism
Pneumonia
Pleuritis
Pneumothorax
Vascular causes of chest pain
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Aneurysm
Emotional causes of chest pain
Anxiety
Depression
Neurological causes of chest pain
Cervical Nerve Root
Zoster
Muscular causes of chest pain
Costochondritis
Arthritis
Muscular Spasm
Bone Tumour
Gastrointestinal causes of chest pain
Peptic Ulcer
GORD
Pancreatitis
Cholecystitis
Major risk factors of chest pain
age
gender
family history
high blood cholesterol
high blood pressure
physical inactivity
obesity and overweight
smoking
diabetes
poor diet
Where is angina pain typically located?
Angina pain is often felt as retrosternal pain, behind the breastbone.
Where can angina pain radiate?
Angina pain commonly radiates down the left arm or into the jaw.
How is angina pain typically described?
Angina pain is usually described as crushing or pressing in character.
What physical activities worsen angina pain?
Angina pain is worsened by physical activity or emotional stress.
How can angina pain be relieved?
Angina pain often improves with nitrates or rest.
What is angina?
Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease.
What are the main types of angina?
The main types are stable angina (predictable and triggered by exertion) and unstable angina (unpredictable, can occur at rest, and may indicate a heart attack).
What are common symptoms of angina?
Symptoms include retrosternal chest pain, radiation to the left arm or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.
How long does angina pain typically last?
Angina pain usually lasts a few minutes, often subsiding with rest or nitroglycerin.
What factors can trigger angina?
Triggers include physical activity, emotional stress, heavy meals, extreme temperatures, and caffeine.
How is angina diagnosed?
Diagnosis may involve a medical history, physical examination, ECG, stress tests, and coronary angiography.
What are common treatments for angina?
Treatments include lifestyle changes, medications (e.g., nitrates, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors), and surgical options (e.g., angioplasty, bypass surgery).
Acute chest pain- immediately life threatening conditions
Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute Aortic Dissection
Pulmonary Embolism
Tension Pneumothorax
Pericardial Tamponade
Mediastinitis
Initial evaluation
Does this person have an acute coronary syndrome?
Typical angina is easy to recognise but atypical presentations are not uncommon.
Beware in: older patients, women, diabetics, patients with chronic renal failure or dementia!
Helpful clues in patients with atypical presentation
Older age
Male sex
Positive family history
Presence of peripheral vascular disease
Presence of risk factors, esp. DM, CRF, previous MI or CABG
What is Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?
ACS is a term used to describe a range of conditions associated with decreased blood flow to the heart, including unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
What are the main types of Acute Coronary Syndrome?
The main types are unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI.
What are the common symptoms of ACS?
Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and lightheadedness.
What are the risk factors for ACS?
Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and stress.
What diagnostic tests are used for ACS?
Diagnostic tests include ECG, blood tests for cardiac biomarkers (like troponin), stress testing, and coronary angiography.
What are common treatment strategies for ACS?
Treatment strategies include medications (e.g., aspirin, antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors), revascularization procedures (e.g., angioplasty, stenting), and lifestyle modifications.
What are potential complications of Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Complications may include heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and death.
What is Unstable Angina?
Unstable angina is a form of chest pain that occurs unpredictably and can occur at rest or with minimal exertion. It indicates a high risk of myocardial infarction.
What are the common symptoms of Unstable Angina?
Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. Pain may last longer than typical angina episodes.
What is the immediate management for suspected ACS?
Immediate management includes administering aspirin, providing oxygen if needed, and calling for emergency medical help.
How is NSTEMI diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on medical history, ECG, and elevated cardiac biomarkers (like troponin) indicating myocardial injury.
What is NSTEMI
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack characterized by elevated cardiac biomarkers and ischemic symptoms without ST elevation on the ECG.
How is Unstable Angina diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical examination, ECG changes, and cardiac biomarkers may be normal or minimally elevated.