Heart & Blood Vessels

Question 1

What happens when the heart does not pump as effectively as it should?

Answer 1

Oedema – pulmonary and peripheral

Tiredness

Question 2

What are the signs of cardiac failure?

Answer 2

Shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue, pulmonary oedema, systemic venous congestion (engorged veins)

Question 3

Define stenosis

Answer 3

Failure of valves to open completely, impeding forward flow

Question 4

Define Incompetence/Regurgitation

Answer 4

Failure of valves to close, allowing reverse flow

Question 5

Define Vegetations

Answer 5

abnormal tissue growth on valve (fibrin, platelets & bacteria)

Question 6

What can vegetations result from?

Answer 6

Infective endocarditis and rheumatic fever

Question 7

Give 4 examples of underlying causes of valvular heart disease

Answer 7

Infection
Carcinoid syndrome
Heart failure
Calcific aortic valve disease

Question 8

What is infective endocarditis?

Answer 8

Colonization of the heart valves or mural endocardium usually by bacteria

Question 9

What is the clinical presentation of infective endocarditis?

Answer 9

Sepsis
Heart Failure
New murmur

Question 10

What happens in cardiac dilation?

Answer 10

Chambers dilate, heart becomes large and flabby

Question 11

Define aneurysm

Answer 11

Localised, permanent, abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel

Question 12

What causes aneurysms?

Answer 12

Age, Atherosclerosis, Ischaemia, Hypertension, Inflammation, Diabetes, Autoimmune diseases

Question 13

Name 4 causes of secondary hypertension

Answer 13

Renal problems
Endocrine problems
Vascular problems
Neurogenic problems