Management of heart disease

Question 1

What does digitalis do?

Answer 1

decrease HR, increase contractility

Question 2

What does aspirin do?

Answer 2

decrease platelet aggregation, potentially prevent MI

Question 3

What is a medicine that decreases preload via peripheral/coronary dilation, thus reducing angina?

Answer 3

nitrates

Question 4

What are the activity limitations following an MI?

Answer 4

can be resumed following ending of acute MI

- limit activity to 70% HR max for age or 5 METS for 4-6 wks

Question 5

Is troponin high or low with a heart attack?

Answer 5

HIGH

Question 6

Should you treat a patient with acute or decompensated heart failure?

Answer 6

you CANNOT increase their O2 demand, so very little that you can do
- once compensated with meds or whatnot, able to slowly increase activity

Question 7

What is a PTCA procedure?

Answer 7

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (balloon into vessel to widen it and reduce MI, etc)