EMT test #2 part 2 Flashcards
Atherosclerosis: What
Calcium and fatty material, called cholesterol, form plaque and build up in the walls of the artery. This can cause occlusion, or blockage of a coronary artery.
Atherosclerosis: Why
High blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis: s/s
Age, diet, blood pressure. Heart attack and stroke symptoms. (Can cause both)
Atherosclerosis: Leads to
Ischemia, thromboembolism, embolism
Thromboembolism: what
Blood clot that travels through blood vessels until it reaches an area too narrow to pass. This causes hypoxia in tissues downstream. If this occurs in a coronary artery, an acute myocardial infarction will occur.
Thromboembolism: why
When a piece of plaque in an atherosclerotic artery breaks off, it signals a blot clot to form. When it moves down the blood vessel it becomes a thromboembolism.
Thromboembolism: s/s
Chest pain Syncope (fainting) Sense of doom Tachycardia Normal respirations Dyspnea Cough Tachypnea Fever Cyanosis
Thromboembolism: leads to
Ischemia
Ischemia: what
Inadequate supply of blood to the heart muscles.
Ischemia: why
Atherosclerosis, blood clot, coronary artery spasm.
Ischemia: s/s
Neck/jaw pain Shoulder, arm pain Tachycardia Fatigue Dyspnea Nausea/vomiting Diaphoretic
Ischemia: treatment
Aspirin
Ischemia: Leads to:
Angina Pectoris, Acute Coronary Syndrome
Angina Pectoris: what
The pain felt when heart tissues aren’t getting enough oxygen. This is a symptom of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Stable angina goes away after treatment. Unstable angina can be caused even when resting and can lead to an AMI.
Angina Pectoris: Why
This occurs when the hearts need for oxygen exceeds its supply. This need can be caused by physical or emotional stress, a sudden fear, or a large meal, cold temperatures, or cocaine use. When increased oxygen demand goes away it usually goes away
Angina Pectoris: s/s
Crushing, squeezing feeling in the chest. Pain felt in the jaw, left arm, midportion of the back. Pain lasts 3-8 minutes with 15 as the max.
Angina Pectoris: treatment
Rest, oxygen, nitroglycerin.
Acute Coronary Syndrome: what
Reduction in blood supply to heart muscles. This can either be angina pectoris (just pain) or an AMI (tissue dying). Signs and symptoms are similar and are treated the same.
Acute Coronary Syndrome: why
Caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries. Smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, being overweight or obese, family history of chest pain, heart disease, or stroke.
Acute Coronary Syndrome: s/s
Chest pain/pressure, pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, back or stomach, dyspnea, dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, sweating. Pain when exercising.
Acute Coronary Syndrome: leads to
Leads to: AMI when heart tissues begin to die because of occlusion.
Acute (sudden) Myocardial (muscular tissue of the heart) Infarction (death of tissue): what
The death of cells in the area of the heart where blood flow is obstructed. Dead cells can’t be revived and turn into scar tissue that budens a beating heart. This starts to happen 30 minutes after blood flow is cut off. After 4-6 hours, you will die. More likely to happen in the left ventricle because it require more blood. Pain is different from angina pain. May not always be from exertion. This could last 30 minutes to several hours.
Acute (sudden) Myocardial (muscular tissue of the heart) Infarction (death of tissue): why
Restriction of blood flow due to atherosclerosis and/or thromboembolism
Acute (sudden) Myocardial (muscular tissue of the heart) Infarction (death of tissue): s/s
Chest pain/pressure Arm, neck, back, jaw, stomach pain Syncope (fainting) Dyspnea Nausea/Vomiting Weakness Pink, frothy sputum Cyanotic/Pale Sudden Death Normal respiratory Slightly elevated blood pressure Frightened/Feeling doom
Acute (sudden) Myocardial (muscular tissue of the heart) Infarction (death of tissue): treatment
Thrombolytics, angioplasty, nitroglycerin, aspirin, beta blockers.
Acute (sudden) Myocardial (muscular tissue of the heart) Infarction (death of tissue): leads to
Sudden death, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) : what
Failure of the heart. After an AMI or because of long standing high blood pressure. (Over months) Starts between first few hours or days of a heart attack. The lungs become congested with fluid