CARDIOVASCULAR Flashcards
What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
- tissues/organs may become ischemic (lack oxygen) and may die (infarction) due to blockage of arteries
What causes CVD?
- atherosclerosis (fatty deposits/plaque)
- thrombus (clot)
- arterial spasm (intermittent constriction)
What are the risks of atherosclerosis?
- smoking
- elevated LDL + lowered HDL
- hypertension
- obesity + physical inactivity
- age
- males more than females
How do you prevent atherosclerosis?
- diet (less processed food)
- exercise
- refrain from smoking
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
Arteries become blocked = tissues become ischemic = possible infarction
What are the risk factors of CAD?
- smoking
- hypertension
- obesity + physical inactivity
- hypercholesteremia
- diabetes mellitus
- family history
What are the symptoms of CAD during exertion?
- increased sympathetic NS activation
- increased HR, BP, heart contractility
- myocardial ischemia (if demand exceeds supply)
What are the symptoms of ischemia?
- once exertion decreases, pain goes away
What are the symptoms of chronic stable angina?
- chest pain beginning 3-5 mins after activity
- moderate intensity pain
- pain radiating down L arm
- subsides with rest or nitroglycerin
What is myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
Cell/tissue death as a result of reduced oxygenation ability
What are the symptoms of MI?
- sudden onset severe chest pain, can radiate into left arm
- pain lasts 30-60 mins
- unrelieved by rest or nitroglycerin
- pain is constant
- SOB
What is peripheral artery disease (vascular occlusive disease)?
Narrowing of arteries cause by atherosclerosis
What are the symptoms of PAD/VOD?
- most common is intermittent claudication (pain in legs)
- localized by site of occlusion
- loss of hair on toes
- exercise tolerance decreases over time
What are the risk factors for VOD?
- diabetes
- smoking
- hypertension
- males more than females
- age > 50
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
Dilation of a vessel with diameter 50% greater than normal