Clinical Interest Flashcards
Angina
Pain or discomfort which occurs when the heart does not receive adequate blood flow – and thus oxygen – to the heart muscle. Angina may be experienced in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, shoulder or back. No permanent damage is done to the heart.
Arrhythmia
An abnormal rhythm of the heart, including rate, regularity, or site of impulse origin.
Aortic insufficiency
An incomplete closing of the aortic valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left ventricle.
Aortic stenosis
A narrowing of the aortic valve, causing the left ventricle to work harder, but limiting the amount of blood that can be pumped forward into the aorta
Atrial fibrillation
A rapid and irregular rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). As a result, the lower chambers also beat irregularly. This condition requires diagnosis and treatment.
Atherosclerosis
A disease process in which fatty substances (plaque), such as cholesterol, are deposited on the inner lining of blood vessels.
Arteriosclerosis
a general term for a condition that is characterized by the thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries.
Cardiomyopathy
Chronic disease of the heart muscle.
Carotid stenosis/Carotid artery disease
a narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by a buildup of plaque inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain.
CV disease
Conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.
Congestive heart failure
The condition which results when the heart is unable to pump adequately.
CHF can result from
coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease
A condition in which the arteries supplying the heart muscle become blocked.
CAD risk factors
- HTN
- family Hx
- smoking
- diabetes
- obesity
- diet
- stress
HTN
High BP = >135/85
Hypotension
The tolerance for low blood pressure varies greatly, but generally a systolic blood pressure <90
Mitral insufficiency
An incomplete closing of the mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium.
Mitral stenosis
A narrowing of the mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium.
Myocardial infarction - STEMI/NSTEMI
A “heart-attack”, with loss of part of the heart muscle due to a severe decrease in blood supply.
Myocarditis
An inflammatory disease of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can result from a variety of causes. Permanent damage to the heart occurs.
Pericarditis
Two thin membranes enclose the heart in a sac-like structure. If these membranes become irritated or inflamed, the condition is known as pericarditis.
Pericardial tamponade
A dangerous form of pericarditis. The membranes enclosing the heart do not easily stretch, so if fluid accumulates between the membranes and the heart, pressure from it may prevent the heart from working as a pump.
Peripheral artery disease - PAD
Narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.
Peripheral vascular disease - PVD
Narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel. PVD may involve disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart including the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels.
