Exam 2- Coronary Vascular Disorders Flashcards
Leading cause of death in the US for men and women of all racial and ethnic groups
Cardiovascular disease
The abnormal accumulation of lipid deposits and fibrous tissue within arterial walls and lumen
Atherosclerosis
What happens in coronary atherosclerosis?
Blockages and narrowing of the coronary vessels which reduces blood flow to the myocardium
Most prevalent cardiovascular disease in adults
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Most common clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis
Angina pectoris (chest pain)
Symptoms of atherosclerosis are caused by…
Myocardial ischemia
Symptoms and complications of atherosclerosis are related to…
Location and degree of vessel obstruction
Difference between ischemia and infarction
Ischemia is not enough blood flow, infarction is when you start to have cell death and tissue loss and scarring
Modifiable risk factors for CAD
Cholesterol abnormalities
Tobacco use
HTN
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD
Family history
Age
Race
Gender (men > women)
Tool used to estimate risk for having a cardiac event within the next 10 years
Framingham risk calculator
Risk factor for CAD: Metabolic Syndrome
Enlarged waist circumference
Elevated triglycerides
Reduced HDL
Hypertension
Measurement of elevated triglycerides
Greater than or equal to 175 mg/dL
Measurement of reduced HDL levels
Less than 40 mg/dL in males
Less than 50 mg/dL in females
What is hs-CRP?
High sensitivity C-reactive protein
- an inflammatory marker
Prevention of CAD (7)
Control cholesterol
Dietary measures (DASH, limit salt, monitor fats)
Physical inactivity
Medications (make sure to take them) (atorvastatin usually)
Cessation of tobacco use
Manage HTN
Control diabetes
When should you administer atorvastatin and why?
In the evening, because statins are processed by the liver and can cause muscle aches
What do you do before taking cholesterol medications?
Try to manage diet alone
Cholesterol medications can reduce…
CAD mortality
Most commonly prescribed cholesterol medications
Statins
Common adverse effect for statins
Myalgia
What do we monitor when taking statins?
Liver function tests
The nurse is caring for a patient with hypercholesterolemia who has been prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). What serum levels should be monitored in this patient? Why?
AST and ALT
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and is hepatotoxic, so liver enzymes should be monitored.
Angina pectoris
A syndrome characterized by episodes or paroxysmal pain or pressure in the anterior chest caused by insufficient coronary blood flow