Exam 1 - CV packet Flashcards
What is the nature of cardiac pain?
Visceral
What are the problems with visceral pain?
Hard to localize, hard to describe, can be due to disorders of nearby structures
Is visceral pain made worse by palpation or changing the patient’s body position?
No
Is pericarditis harder or easier to localize than cardiac pain?
Easier
Is pericardial pain made worse by palpation or changing patient’s position?
NOT by palpation; made worse by lying supine, better by sitting up/leaning forward
Is musculoskeletal chest pain made worse by palpation?
Yes
Potential indicators of heart disease? (6)
- Hx of PAD 2. Dyspnea on exertion/SOB 3. Pre-syncope/syncope 4. Palpitations 5. Normal variant in heart rhythm 6. More serious disturbances in pulse rate
What is the usual cause of pre-syncope?
Global reduction of cerebral perfusion
Is pre-syncope specific to heart disease?
No
What are the benign forms of pre-syncope? (3)
Vasovagal syncope, orthostatic hypotension, situational syncope
When is syncope cause for concern?
When it is recurrent
How is cardiogenic syncope different from benign forms?
Few prodromal symptoms
What is a palpitation?
Disagreeable awareness of a heartbeat
Are palpitations specific to heart disease?
No
What question should you ask when a patient presents with palpitations?
Was the pulse rhythm irregular when pt felt the palpitations?
What does a combo of palpitations and pre-syncope tend to indicate?
Cardiac arrhythmia
Who is normal arrhythmia seen more often in?
Children and aerobically fit young adults at rest
What is a “regularly-irregular” heartbeat?
Increases with inspiration and decreases with expiration
Are “regularly-irregular” heartbeats normal?
Can be normal or abnormal
What are “bigeminal” and “trigeminal” pulses due to?
Premature beats
What is “irregularly-irregular” heart rate associated with?
Atrial fibrillation
What is the most common form of arrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation
Who is atrial fib most often seen in?
Patients over 60, esp. with coronary heart disease, HTN, COPD, etc
Non-modifiable risk factors for CVD? (3)
- Increasing age 2. Male gender 3. Family history