Diseases of Cardiovascular System

Question 1

syncope

Answer 1

fainting
in healthy person, caused by:
stand still too long –> blood pools in veins –> large amounts of plasma forced out of capillary walls –> decreased arterial BP –> decreased bloodflow to brain –> faint

Question 2

heart failure

Answer 2

causes abnormal backup of fluid in body leading to edema and/or high BP

Question 3

pulmonary edema

Answer 3

backup of fluid in lungs

caused by left sided heart failure

Question 4

congestive heart failure

Answer 4

aka left sided heart failure

Question 5

peripheral edema

Answer 5

backup of fluid in body/limbs

caused by right sided heart disease

Question 6

edema

Answer 6

fluid accumulation

Question 7

hypertension

Answer 7

BP significantly higher than 120/80mm Hg

one cause = atherosclerosis

Question 8

“the silent killer”

Answer 8

hypertension - may not be noticed until have stroke or heart attack

Question 9

atherosclerosis

Answer 9

• accumulation of plaque inside arteries inner linings that protrudes into vessel and interferes with normal blood flow
• can cause blood clot to form along irregular arterial wall

Question 10

plaque

Answer 10

accumulation of soft fatty materials such as cholesterol

Question 11

thrombosis

Answer 11

stationary clot (where plaque narrows artery)

Question 12

embolus

Answer 12

dislodged clot moving along blood stream

Question 13

thromboembolism

Answer 13

• embolus that gets stuck as it travels through body

- if occurs in a vessel supporting vital organ, causes serious complications or sudden death

Question 14

pulmonary embolism

Answer 14

• blockage of major artery in lungs from thromboembolism

- causes shortness of breath, angina, very dangerous

Question 15

angina

Answer 15

chest pain

can be caused by partial blocakge of coronary artery

Question 16

infarction

Answer 16

tissue death in area of completely blocked blood vessel (can lead to death)

Question 17

myocardial infarction

Answer 17

aka heart attack

• coronary artery blocked –> portion of heart muscle dies because of lack of oxygen
• symptoms: light headed, short of breath, pain/numbness in jaw or arms, pain/pressure in chest, cold sweat, upset stomach, fatigue

Question 18

IV drugs to treat MI

Answer 18

• streptokinase
• t-PA (synthetic)
  both convert plasminogen to plasmin (enzyme that dissolves clots)

Question 19

aspirin

Answer 19

emergency anticoagulant, can be used during emergency care of MI

Question 20

angioplasty

Answer 20

• procedure to unblock coronary artery
• surgeon threads plastic tube into artery of arm or leg, guides it through vessels to heart
• once reaches section blocked by plaque, balloon attached inflates and forces vessel open

Question 21

coronary artery bypass surgery

Answer 21

• segment of different vessel (from patient) stitched to connect aorta + coronary artery (past point of obstruction
• sometimes also use lasers to open clogged vessels once heart exposed