Cardiovascular Flashcards
What is CAD?
Coronary Artery Disease. Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (chest pain specifically due to heart-muscle ischemia)
What other past histories would suggest that a patient has CAD?
Angina, MI, CABG, Cardiac stents, Angioplasty
Does a PMHx of CVA mean that a patient has CAD?
No
Does a PSHx of angioplasty mean the patient has CAD?
Yes
Explain the difference between CAD and an MI.
CAD is the narrowing of the coronary arteries while MI is the acute blockage of them
If someone has a PMHx of A-Fib or CHF, do they also have CAD?
No
What are the “cardiac risk factors”?
Chest pain or Chest pressure that is worse with exertion or improved by rest or NTG
How is CAD diagnosed?
Cardiac catheterization (not in the ED)
Name 2 ways that an MI can be diagnosed?
EKG (STEMI) or elevated Troponin (non-STEMI)
What are some associated symptoms of an MI other than CP?
N/V and SOB
What are some associated symptoms for CHF?
SOB (worse with lying flat (orthopnea), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), and Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE)) with pedal edema and orthopnea, Rales in lungs, Jugular Vein Distension (JVT) in neck, Pitting pedal edema
What 2 studies would diagnose CHF?
CXR or elevated BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)
What is A-Fib?
Electrical abnormalities in the “wiring” of the heart causes top of the heart (atria) to quiver abnormally
What might someone feel with A-Fib?
Palpitations (Fast, pounding, irregular)
How is A-Fib diagnosed?
EKG (ECG)
