Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) with a focus on Secondary Prevention Flashcards
• What is secondary prevention?
• Health care designed to prevent recurrence of cardiovascular events (e.g.
heart attack or stroke) in patients with diagnosed CVD.
How is arterial blood pressure regulated?
It is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and renal function
WHat is the exclusion from the rule artery=oxygenated blood, vein= deoxygenated blood?
pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood the only exclusion from the rule that arteries carry oxygenated blood; pulmonary vein is an exclusion as well
• Framingham Risk Scores, not available for __ years old or older
• Framingham Risk Scores, not available for 80 years old or older
WHy do we refrain from putting elderly on restrictive diets?
restrictive diets at older ages may lead to malnutrition -> do more harm than good
Why do we say that women are a bit neglected in terms of CVD?
Decreased risk for CVD prior to menopause-> less studied than men
Don’t know the exact symptoms
is hormonal replacement therapy beneficial for prevention of CVD?
no
How does estrogen help with CVD?
Estrogen is believed to have a positive effect on the inner layer of artery wall, helping to keep blood vessels flexible.
When does menopause occur?
- Average age is 51 - 54 years old
* Induced at a younger age in women who have had a hysterectomy
What happens to lipid profiles after the menopause?
- Blood pressure tends to increase
- LDL cholesterol tends to increase
- HDL, or “good” cholesterol, declines or remains the same.
- Triglycerides tend to increase.
Adults with diabetes are __ times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) or Heart Attack- definition
when one of the coronary arteries (one of the arteries that feed the heart muscle) becomes blocked and the heart tissue dies as it is not getting enough oxygen
5 common heart attack warning signs
common heart attack warning signs:
Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back.
Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain.
Shortness of breath.
Cold sweat.
Fatigue.
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.
Both __ and __ can cause chest pain and frequently co-exist
Both GERD and coronary artery disease (CAD) can cause chest pain and frequently co-exist
Echo vs EKG
what can be used for either?
echocardiogram (echo) electrocardiogram (EKG)
ECG
define stable angina; EKG and troponins
STABLE ANGINA - Angina pain develops when there is increased demand in the setting of a stable atherosclerotic plaque. The vessel is unable to dilate enough to allow adequate blood flow to meet the myocardial demand.
EKG: normal; normal troponins
define unstable angina; EKg and troponins
UNSTABLE ANGINA : The plaque ruptures and a thrombus forms around the ruptured plaque, causing partial occlusion of the vessel. Angina pain occurs at rest or progresses rapidly over a short period of time.
EKG: Normal, Inverted T waves, or ST depression. Troponins: Normal
define NSTEMI; EKG and troponins
NSTEMI : During an NSTEMI, the plaque rupture and thrombus formation causes partial occlusion to the vessel that results in injury and infarct to the subendocardial myocardium.
EKG: Normal, Inverted T waves, or ST depression
Troponins: Elevated
define STEMI; EKG and troponins
A STEMI is characterized by complete occlusion of the blood vessel lumen, resulting in transmural injury and infarct to the myocardium, which is reflected by ECG changes and a rise in troponins.
EKG: hyperacuate T waves or ST elevation
Troponins: elevated
What is the superior marker for myocardial damage. Why?
troponins
The most sensitive and specific test for myocardial damage. Because it has increased specificity compared with CK-MB, troponin is a superior marker for myocardial injury.
When do troponins peak?
12h
Is CK-MB test specific? When does it peak?
Creatine Kinase
It is relatively specific when skeletal muscle damage is not present.
10-24h
Is LDH test specific? When does it peak?
Lactate dehydrogenase
LDH is not as specific as troponin.
72h
What is the treatment applied post MI if Mi was detected early on? How soon should it be detected?
Thrombolysis (to dissolve clots in coronary arteries). Usually within 3 hours of the heart attack.
What does type of treatment post MI depend on?
depend how fast medical treatment is obtained for attack and severity
Describe Cardiac catheterization
can be done after or before a heart attack
• Passing catheter via arm, groin or neck
• visualization
• Angiogram- injecting special
fluid (called dye or contrast) through the catheter into a blood vessel or a chamber of the heart.
Since the dye is visible by X-ray, an X-ray movie of the circulation can be recorded.
Describe Angioplasty or PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty)
Use catheter to insert
• stent
• balloon
-> opens up the artery
CABG
multiple bipasses can be done
vessel is taken eg from a leg; attaching it to an aorta and below the site where occlusion has occurred
allow to bypass the blocked section of coronary artery
What diet should he be on, immediate post-MI?
- Npo or clear liquids without caffeine
- Progress to small soft tolerated meals (Initially want blood flow supported or maximized to heart (as opposed to GI tract))
What are the symptoms experienced after MI
MI: Pain, anxiety, fatigue, SOB
• Fear, depression
5 Ways to Lower Your Risk
of a SECOND Heart Attack
1) TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS
2) FOLLOW-UP WITH YOUR DOCTOR. See your doctor within 6 weeks of your heart attack to help keep your recovery on track.
3) MANAGE RISK FACTORS
Common risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
4) PARTICIPATE IN CARDIAC REHAB
5) Get support
Medications after a heart attack could include (6)
Antiplatelet agents Statins Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors Nitrates Anticoagulants Medications to protect the stomach
Why would we use Medications to protect the stomach after MI?
Examples
stress + aspirin given post MI can resutl in ulcers
• Examples: cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac), or proton pump inhibitors such as pantoprazole (Pantoloc).
Why would we use Antiplatelet agents after MI? Examples
to prevent blood clots and keep a stent open.
• Example: aspirin.
Why would we use statins after MI? Examples
Statins – to lower cholesterol levels.
Why would we Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors use after MI? Examples
to treat high blood pressure
Why would we use nitrates after MI? Examples
to expand the arteries and relieve chest pain. • nitroglycerin
Why would we use anticoagulants after MI? Examples
to reduce the blood’s ability to clot.
• Warfarin (Coumadin)
What is a stroke?
insufficient blood supply to brain and death
what are the 2 types of stroke?
hemorrhagic and ischemic
Hemorrhagic- blood vessel bursts due to high pressure, atherosclerosis or congenital malformation. Bleeding and decreased blood flow; blood build up -> increased pressure and damage to smaller vessels
ischemic stroke- occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked