Cardiovascular System Disorders Flashcards
Define Angina
This is a mismatch between supply of oxygenated blood to the heart vs myocardial demand
Explain angina
Sensation of chest pain is due to narrowing of vasculature –> reduced blood flow
Narrowing will lead to ischemic type chest pain often described as - pressure, tight but can fluctuate
What are the 3 forms of angina?
Stable - occurs when narrowing of coronary artery due to atherosclerosis. Pain during exertion and is relived by resting or nitrate therapy
Unstable - Part of ACS umbrella, symptoms present at rest
Prinzmetal - eitology not well understood, potentially due to overreaction of vasoconstrictive stimuli, ischaemic cardiac symptoms, rest does not usually relieve pain, may be associated with pt with other vasoconstrictive disorders
Define atherosclerosis
Process of lipid accumulation (plaque formation), scarring and inflammation of the vascular wall
Results in narrowing of vasculature due to vascular wall thickening and may result in thrombosis
What is the relation with hypertension and atherosclerosis
Significant cause of hypertension due to reduced elasticity of vessels due to vasculature hardening
Hypertension can lead to further vasculature wall damage, plaque formation and plaque rupture
Explain the mechanism of atherosclerosis
Endothelium becomes damaged, this can be due to smoking, diabetes, hypertension, fatty diet or cholesterol –> this then leads to white blood cells accumulating to engulf LDL forming plaques
List some modifiable and non modifiable risk factors
Increasing age Smoking Fatty diet Obesity Excessive alcohol intake Lack fo exercise
State signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis
Chest pain Fatigue DIB Sweating Pain in limbs Blocked artery
List treatment factors for atherosclerosis
Statins to treat high cholesterol
Medications for high blood pressure
Medicines to reduce risk of blood clots
Dietary changes and medications for diabetes
What is myocardial infarction
Heart attack, death of cell tissue in the myocardium.
Signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction
Chest pain/pressure can radiate to left arm or jaw
Diaphoresis
Nausea
Fatigue
Dyspnea
What are the diagnostic methods for myocardial infarctions
Done in a lab, looking at levels of troponin I, troponin T and CK-MB
Define cardiac arrythmias
This is a deviation from the normal cardiac rate or rhythm
What are some causes for cardiac arrhythmia?
Damage to the hearts conduction system
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypoxia
Drug toxicity
Infection
How does cardiac arrhythmia play an affect on the efficiency of the hearts pumping cycle?
Severe tachycardia - may prevent adequate filling during diastole thus reducing the stroke volume and in turn the cardiac output
Bradycardia - can directly reduce cardiac output
What is cardiac output and the equation to work it out
Cardiac output is the amount of blood your heart pumps per min
CO = HR X SV
Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume
List symptoms of cardiac arrythmias
Palpitations Chest pain Dizziness Lethargy Syncope (fainting) Diaphoresis
List causes of sinus tachycardia
Shock PE Fever Anxiety Exercise Drugs such as cocaines, amphetamines (stimulant drugs) and ecstasy Pain Dehydration Hypoxia
List causes of bradycardia
Inferior/posterior MI
Vagal stimulation
Medications e.g beta blockers or calcium channel blockers
Hypothermia Hypo/hyperkalemia Sinoatrial node disease Raised intracranial pressure Hypothyroidism Post heart transplant
List causes of sinus arrythmias
Drug toxicity Infection Scar tissue Stress Hormones Post heart surgery Medications Electrolyte imbalance Coronary heart disease
State 3 atrial conduction abnormalities
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter
Premature atrial complexes
