Circulation problems Flashcards
‘normal’ heart rates at rest
- adult
- child
- baby
adult: 60-90 bpm
child: 90-110 bpm
baby: 110-140 bpm
how to test circulation to extremities
squeeze finger or toe, colour should become pale and return within 2 seconds of releasing
What is a ‘silent’ heart attack? Who is more likely to get it?
- heart attack with no chest pain
- diabetics, elderly
ANGINA
- 8 signs + symptoms
- sudden, usually during exertion, stress or extreme weather
- ‘vice-like’ squashing pain, ‘dull’, ‘tightness’ ‘pressure’ on chest
- pain can radiate to arms (often left), neck, shoulder, jaw, back
- usually lasts 3-8 mins
- pale skin, may be sweaty
- variable pulse (depending on where lack of oxygen is), often irregular
- shortness of breath
- anxiety
HEART ATTACK
- 10 possible signs + symptoms
- sudden, can occur at rest
- ‘vice-like’ squashing pain, ‘dull’, ‘tightness’ ‘pressure’ on chest
- pain can radiate to arms (often left), neck, shoulder, jaw, back
- usually lasts longer than 30 mins
- pale, grey skin, may sweat profusely
- variable pulse (depending on where lack of oxygen is), often irregular
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- nausea/vomiting
- sense of ‘impending doom’
treating ANGINA or HEART ATTACK
- sit casualty down, a half sitting position is best
- allow casualty to take GTN medicine (if available)
- reassure, remove stress or anxiety
- allow casualty to chew on aspirin slowly (if not allergic), 300mg dose ideal
- if unconscious, will likely need CPR
when should you call ambulance for ANGINA / HEART ATTACK
- if you suspect heart attack
- if patient not diagnosed with angina
- different/worse conditions than normal
- angina pain not relieve by medicine after 15 mins
- angina pain happens while at rest or asleep
- you are in any doubt
what is left ventricular failure (LVF)? what can cause it (x3)?
when left ventricle is too weak to empty, blood backs up into lungs and fluid seeps into alveoli
result of heart attack, chronic heart failure, high blood pressure
LEFT VENTRICULAR FAILURE
- 8 signs and symptoms
- severe difficulty breathing
- crackly, wheezy breathing
- pale sweaty skin
- cyanosis
- coughing frothy, blood-stained sputum
- possible signs of heart attack
- casualty must sit up to breathe
- anxiety / confusion / dizziness
LEFT VENTRICULAR FAILURE
- treatment
(x4 things)
- sit casualty up, feet dangling
- call emergency services
- allow casualty to take GTN medication
- be prepared to resuscitate
3 types of shock (+ causes)
hypovolaemic shock (low blood volume)
- external bleeding
- internal bleeding
- burns
- vomiting / diarrhoea
- excessive sweating
cardiogenic shock (fall in blood pressure)
- heart attack
- cardiac failure
- heart valve disease
- tension pneumothorax
- cardiac arrest
anaphylactic shock
- allergic reaction
HYPOVOLAEMIC SHOCK
- 11 signs + symptoms, in 3 stages
1st stage
- rise in pulse rate
- pale clammy skin
2nd stage
- fast, shallow breathing
- rapid, weak pulse
- cyanosis
- nausea or vomiting
- dizziness or weakness
- sweating
3rd stage (as brain lacks oxygen)
- deep, sighing breathing
- confusion, anxiety, aggression
- unconsciousness
HYPOVOLAEMIC SHOCK
- treatment
(x8 things to remember)
- treat cause of shock (e.g bleeding)
- lay casualty down and raise legs
- call emergency services
- keep warm with blanket/coat (but DON’T overheat)
- NO eating, drinking, smoking
- loosen tight clothing
- monitor breathing / pulse / response
- be prepared to resuscitate
what’s the difference treating a pregnant woman for hypovolaemic shock?
lay on left side, so baby doesn’t cut off ciruclation to heart
FAINTING
- treatment
(x5 things)
- lay casualty down + raise legs
- check airway + breathing
- remove cause of stress, crowds, allow fresh air
- DO NOT allow to sit up suddenly
- if casualty faints again, look for underlying cause
