Coronary artery disease path Flashcards
What is coronary artery disease?
Arteries becomes clogged d/t atherosclerosis
Which artery is most problematic if clogged if CAD?
Left anterior descending artery
-bc it determines perfusion to body
Coronary arteries branch from the ____
Aorta (gives heart oxygenated blood)
Not everyone with coronary artery disease has had a ______
heart attack
Nonmodifiable risk factors of CAD
-Age: older
-Gender: males early, women catch up after menopause
-Family hx
-Ethnicity: AA, Hispanics, NA
-Genetics
Modifiable risk factors of CAD
-HLD
-HTN
-Cigs
-DM
-Obesity/inactivity
-Diet high in fats, salts, transfat carbs
-Depression
-Stress
Atherosclerosis causes artery blockage so it leads to: (3)
-Decreased perfusion
-Endothelial dysfunction
-Heart has to work harder to pump blood
What is endothelial dysfunction?
-Vessels aren’t blocked but become narrow when filled with plaque
What is the main symptom of CAD?
Angina
A complete occlusion=
myocardial infarction
What is stable angina?
-Episodic
-Occurs on exertion, relived by rest
-Lasts 2-5mins
-Coronary flow is diminished by NOT blocked
What is unstable angina?
-Severe & new onset
-Occurs at rest
-Last >10 min
What is important to do if chest pain occurs?
Exclude the heart being the cause of chest pain before exploring noncardiac causes
Cardiac chest pain s/s
-Pressyre or tightness
-Poorly localized (elephant)
-Associated w/ physical exertion or other stress
-Relived w/ rest, usually within mins
-Prolonged symptoms may represent an acute coronary syndrome
Non-cardiac chest pain s/s
-Sharp or stabbing
-Focal, well localized
-May be positional, spontaneous at rest
-No predictable relation to physical exertion
-May last few seconds to days at a time
