Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Flashcards
How much of a drop in blood pressure is classified as postural hypotension?
Drop in systolic BP > 20 mmHg upon standing from sitting
What are the 4 main systems most affected by hypertension?
Cardiovascular - coronary artery disease/MI
Cerebrovascular - stroke
Ophthalmic - retinopathy
Renal - uraemia/proteinuria/haematuria
What type of chest pain is provoked by exertion and relieved by rest?
Angina pain
What type of chest pain is a tearing pain that radiates to the back?
Aortic dissection
What type of chest pain is sharp, worse with movement and relieved sitting forward?
Pericarditis
What is the definition of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea?
Awake from sleep gasping for breath
What is the definition of orthopnoea?
Breathless lying flat
What kind of changes are seen in hypertensive retinopathy
- Attenuated blood vessels-copper or silver wiring
- cotton wool spots
- hard exudates
- retinal haemorrhage (flame haemorrhages)
- optic disc oedema
What is the key diagnostic test(s) for hypertension?
ABPM/HBPM
What is the BP target for diabetics?
130/85
What is the first line hypertension drug treatment for:
- People <55
- People of non-afrocarribean origin
- Type 2 diabetics?
ACEi or ARB
What is the first line hypertension drug treatment for:
- People >55
- People of afrocarribean origin
Ca2+ channel blockers
What is the second line hypertension drug treatment plan for:
- People <55
- People of non-afrocarribean origin
- Type 2 diabetics?
ACEi or ARB
+
CCB or thiazide-like diuretic
What is the second line hypertension drug treatment plan for:
- People >55
- People of afrocarribean origin
CCB
+
ACEi or ARB or thiazide-like diuretic
Which anti-hypertensive drugs should be avoided in pregnancy?
ACEi or ARB
What is a side effect of Ca2+ channel blockers
Ankle swelling
What condition can be triggered by thiazide diuretics?
Goat
Name some ACEIs
Ramipril & lisinopril
Name some ARBs
Losartan, candesartan & valsartan
What is the classic respiratory side effect of ACEIs?
Dry cough
Name some calcium channel blockers
Verapamil, diltiazem & amlodipine
Name the most commonly used thiazide diuretic
Bendroflumethiazide
What scoring system is used to estimate risk of CV events over 10 years and what score classifies a patient as high risk?
Assign score - a score of 20 is high risk
What drug relives angina pain?
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
What is the difference between unstable angina and an NSTEMI?
NSTEMI involves ischaemia severe enough to cause myocardial damage, releasing detectable markers. Unstable angina typically does not produce elevated troponin and ischaemic ECG changes such as ST depression and T wave inversion
What drug treatments should be given alongside GTN in angina?
Symptom control = Beta-blocker or calcium-channel blocker
Secondary prevention = aspirin, statin, anti-hypertensive (ACI etc…)
How long after an ACS will troponins vs CK enzymes be elevated?
Troponins = 4hrs
CK enzyme = 24hrs until peak
What is the immediate treatment for an MI?
M - Morphine O -Oxygen if hypoxic N - nitrates (GTN) A - Aspirin 300mg C - clopidogrel/ticagralor
What investigations are needed for unstable angina/NSTEMI?
- Urgent angiography in high-risk - prevent progression into STEMI
- Exercise ECG - +ve result directs invasive therapy
What is the difference in management between low risk and high risk unstable angina/NSTEMI patients?
Low-risk = aspirin, clopidogrel and nitrates
High risk = revascularisation with PCI/thrombolysis/CABG
What are the criteria for diagnosing an MI on ECG?
Must have ≥1mm STE in 2 adjacent limb leads or ≥2mm STE in 2 contiguous precordial leads to diagnose STEMI
Which ECG leads show an inferior MI
II, III and aVF
Which ECG leads show an anterior MI
V1-4
Which ECG leads show a lateral MI
I, aVL, V5-6
Which ECG leads show an anterolateral MI
I, aVL, V1-6
Which ECG leads show an anteroseptal MI
V1-4
What drugs should never be used in heart failure?
Calcium channel blockers
What type of heart failure will cause congestion of peripheral tissues/oedema and ascites/impaired liver function/anorexia/GI distress/weight loss
RHF
What type of heart failure will cause decreased cardiac output/impaired gas exchange/pulmonary oedema/orthopnea/PND/cough with frothy sputum
LHF
What additional heart sound is associated with HF?
3rd heart sound
What marker is a good marker of stress on the heart an can be used in investigating HF?
BNP ( B-Natriuretic peptide)
What 3 classes of drugs are given in heart failure?
- ACEi/ARBs
- Beta-blockers
- Diuretics
How do you treat acute HF?
- ABCDE
- Prop patient upright
- IV furosemide
- Opiates (carefully)
- IV nitrates
- Stop fluids
What drugs can be given in later stage HF?
Spironolactone & digoxin