Diseases of the Heart

Question 1

What are some factors to consider in heart disease?

Answer 1

1. Most are the result of atherosclerosis of coronary artery
2. CHF is mechanical failure of the heart to produce enough output
3. metabolic or autoimmune disease may cause heart muscle or valve damage
4. high blood pressure accelerates atherosclerosis and other cardiac diseases
5. Cardiac valves are one-way valves and prone to obstruction, regurgitation, and infection
6. Abnormal embryonic development produces anatomic malformation in the heart
7. arrhythmias can cause dysfunction or death

Question 2

What do each of the components of the QRS complex signify?

Answer 2

• P= atrial depolarization and contraction
• QRS= Ventricular depolarization and contraction
• T= Ventricular repolarization and diastole

Question 3

What is arrhythmia?

Answer 3

Irregularity in the heart’s beating pattern often leading to decreased cardiac output

Question 4

What is atrial fibrillation and what are the long-term risks associated with them?

Answer 4

• Unorganized atrial contractions result in a potential drop in cardiac output
• May cause a thrombi, embuli and stroke

Question 5

What occurs during a heart block arrhythmia?

Answer 5

the electrical signal is disrupted at the AV node

Question 6

What are some causes of arrhythmias?

Answer 6

1. Myocardial ischemia & MIs
2. Electrolyte imbalances
3. Stress
4. Congenital effects
5. CHF myocardial remodeling
6. Drugs

Question 7

What is chronic heart failure?

Answer 7

This is the body’s response to decreased cardiac output increasing sympathetic tone and plasma volume which eventually leads to a “failing pump”

Question 8

What causes left ventricle hypertrophy?

Answer 8

Increased stress/pressure overload

Question 9

What is a cause of forward CHF?

Answer 9

lack of O₂ to organs

Question 10

What is a cause of backwards CHF?

Answer 10

congestion and edema

Question 11

What are the clinical syndromes of coronary artery diseases?

Answer 11

1. Stable angina
2. Myocardial infarction
3. Sudden cardiac death

Question 12

What are the causes of coronary ischemia?

Answer 12

1. Young vs. Old atheromas
2. Sudden vs. gradual obstruction
3. Complete vs. Partial occlusion
4. Reversible obstructions

Question 13

Where does death typically occur first during a myocardial infarction?

Answer 13

at the furthest limits of the blood supply (subendocardium)

Question 14

How long does it take for scar formation to occur in myocardial infarction?

Answer 14

6-8 weeks

Question 15

What are some complications associated with myocardial infarction?

Answer 15

1. Intramural thrombi (Embolism & Stroke)
2. Valve dysfunction
3. Arrhythmia & sudden cardiac death

Question 16

What two biochemical compounds confirm myocardial infarction?

Answer 16

Cardiac creatine kinase & cardiac troponin

Question 17

What is hypertensive heart disease?

Answer 17

a hypertrophic heart disease that causes stiffness in the heart reducing stroke volume and cardiac output. It increases O₂ demand and increases the risk of ischemia leading to increased risk of CHF and arrhythmias.

Question 18

What is valvular heart disease?

Answer 18

inflammation of the heart valves which can lead to stiffness or fused valves causing stenosis(narrowing) or regurgitation

Question 19

What is an example of something that can cause myocarditis?

Answer 19

COVID 19

Question 20

What are the most common congenital heart defects?

Answer 20

Septal defects