Cardiology Key terms Flashcards
Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
What it is: Blockage of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, causing tissue damage.
Risk factors: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, age.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, cold sweat.
Treatment: Immediate medical attention, aspirin, nitroglycerin, oxygen, pain management, thrombolytics, angioplasty, or bypass surgery.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Left and Right)
What it is: A condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
Risk factors: High blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, diabetes, certain medications, sleep apnea.
Hallmark signs and symptoms:
Left-sided: Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, fatigue,
Right-sided: Swelling in legs, ankles, and abdomen (pedal edema), JVD (jugular vein distension).
Treatment: Medications (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers), lifestyle changes, managing underlying conditions, and possibly surgery.
Pulmonary Embolism
What it is: Blockage in one of the lung’s pulmonary arteries.
Risk factors: Prolonged immobility, surgery, cancer, pregnancy, smoking, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), clotting disorders.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, cough (sometimes with bloody sputum), rapid heart rate.
Treatment: Anticoagulants, thrombolytics, surgical removal of the clot, supportive care (oxygen, pain management).
Cardiac Tamponade
What it is: Compression of the heart due to fluid accumulation in the pericardium.
Risk factors: Trauma, pericarditis, cancer, kidney failure, connective tissue diseases.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Beck’s triad (low blood pressure, JVD, muffled heart sounds), tachycardia, shortness of breath.
Treatment: Pericardiocentesis (draining fluid from pericardium), surgery, and supportive care.
Commotio Cordis
What it is: Sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, non-penetrating impact on the chest.
Risk factors: Typically occurs in young athletes during sports.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Sudden collapse, no pulse, unresponsiveness.
Treatment: Immediate CPR and defibrillation.
Pedal Edema
What it is: Swelling of the lower legs and feet.
Risk factors: Heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Swelling in the feet and lower legs, possible discomfort or tightness.
Treatment: Treat the underlying cause, with diuretics, compression stockings, and elevating legs.
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD)
What it is: Bulging of the jugular veins in the neck.
Risk factors: Heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, superior vena cava obstruction.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Visible bulging veins in the neck, possible associated symptoms of heart failure.
Treatment: Treat underlying cause, and manage heart failure.
Angina Pectoris (Stable and Unstable)
What it is: Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Risk factors: Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, stress.
Hallmark signs and symptoms:
Stable: Predictable chest pain with exertion, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
Unstable: Unexpected chest pain, occurs at rest, is not relieved by rest or medication, and may indicate an impending heart attack.
Treatment: Medications (nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers), lifestyle changes, managing underlying conditions, possible angioplasty or surgery.
Thromboembolism
What it is: Obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot that has become dislodged from another site in the circulation.
Risk factors: Prolonged immobility, surgery, cancer, certain medications, smoking, clotting disorders.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Depends on location; can include pain, swelling, redness, warmth (DVT), or symptoms of stroke or pulmonary embolism.
Treatment: Anticoagulants, thrombolytics, surgical intervention.
Atherosclerosis
What it is: Hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
Risk factors: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history.
Hallmark signs and symptoms: Often asymptomatic until severe; can cause angina, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Treatment: Medications (statins, antiplatelets), lifestyle changes, managing underlying conditions, possible angioplasty or surgery.
