NURS444 Cardio

Question 1

Define Cardiovascular disease

Answer 1

Alteration in the heart leading to alterations in blood flow (Q) and P

Question 2

What are the most common Cardiovascular Diseases? (6)

Answer 2

Hypertension - HT
Coronary heart disease- CHD 
Heart failure - HF
Cerebrovascular disease - CVD
Myocardial ischaemia - MI
Acute coronary syndromes

Question 3

Define Hypertension (HTN)

Answer 3

Sustained elevation in systemic arterial blood pressure

• Systolic > 140 mmHg
• Diastolic > 90 mmHg

Question 4

Define 1º HTN

Answer 4

Interaction of genetic factors and environmental influences - causing neural and hormonal effects

Question 5

How to diagnose 1º HTN?

Answer 5

Repeated high BP
Patient history
Urinalysis and blood tests
ECG

Question 6

2º Hypertension

Answer 6

Increase in SVR or CO due to underlying disease or medication

Question 7

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 7

Abnormal thickening and hardening (fatty-fibrous plaque) of artery walls (tunica intima) resulting in loss of elasticity

Question 8

Hyperlidemia

Answer 8

Arteriosclerosis risk factor
Elevated levels of lipids in the blood, mainly cholesterol and triglycerides
i.e. LDL (low-density lipoprotein)

Question 9

Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology

Answer 9

1) endothelial dysfunction
2) lipid layer
3) leukocytes and sm cells
4) foam cell formation
5) degradation of extracellular matrix

Question 10

Atherosclerosis:

Symptoms

Answer 10

● diminished or absent pulses
● changes in skin T°
● pain
● intermittent claudication (leg pain)
● muscle weakness
● dizziness, headaches

Question 11

Aneurysm

Answer 11

Localised abnormal dilation or outpouching of vessel or cardiac wall

Question 12

Types of Aneurysms

Answer 12

Fusiform
Saccula
Dissecting

Question 13

Aneurysm: location

Answer 13

Abdominal aorta
Thoracic aorta
Femoral popliteal
Cerebral artery

Question 14

Myocardial Ischaemia: Pathophysiology

Answer 14

Narrowing of a major coronary artery by > 50% (due to atherosclerosis)
Lactic acid
Cell death → inflammation

Question 15

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS)

Answer 15

Obstruction of the coronary arteries with unstable angina and myocardial infarction

Question 16

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS)

3 presentations

Answer 16

a) unstable angina
b) non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
c) ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Question 17

Angina

Answer 17

Chest discomfort or pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (CHD)

Question 18

Stable Angina: Clinical manifestations

Answer 18

3-5 minutes

Radaition to neck, lower jaw, left arm, left shoulder

Question 19

Atherosclerosis

Answer 19

A form of arteriosclerosis, with soft deposits of intra-arterial fat (cholesterol) and other variations.
Main cause of Coronary HD and Cerebro VD

Question 20

Unstable angina
(crescendo angina)

Answer 20

Change in frequency, intensity and duration of pain.

Question 21

Bradycardia vs Tachycardia

Answer 21

HR below 60 bpm vs HR above 100 bpm

Question 22

Angina

Answer 22

Chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia, caused

by an imbalance between O2 supply and demand

Question 23

Why do people with heart conditions take aspirin?

Answer 23

Reduces the ability of the blood

to clot, reducing risk of heart attack or stroke

Question 24

What does Beta-blocker do in the heart?

Answer 24

Reduces rate of heart beat

Question 25

Define Congestive heart failure

Answer 25

When heart cannot fill or pump sufficient blood

Question 26

Define Orthostatic hypotension

Answer 26

Low BP that occurs upon standing up

Question 27

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) = ?

Answer 27

MAP = CO x SV

Question 28

8 Predisposing factors causing 1º HTN

Answer 28

• family history
• age and gender
• abdominal obesity
• heavy alcohol intake
• glucose intolerance
• high salt intake
• sedentary lifestyle
• low K+, Ca++, Mg+

Question 29

List 6 systemic complications of HTN

Answer 29

Brain stroke
Vision loss
Heart Attack
Bone loss
Kidney failure
Blood vessel damage