Pathology - cardiovascular system

Question 1

Hypertension

Answer 1

• causes: narrowing of arteries, increased arterial pressure
• sx: excessive sweating, fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness
• tx: liefstyle mods, smoking cessation, antihypertensive meds

Question 2

Angina

Answer 2

• causes: coronary artey narrowing, atheroscierosis
• sx: pain/tightness in chest
• tx: sublingual nitroglycerin, treatment of underlying condition

Question 3

Coronary artey disease

Answer 3

• causes: buildup of fat/cholesterol in arteries
• sx: usually no sx prior to heart attack
• tx: lipid-lowering meds, low-fat diet, exercise, smoking cessation, coronary artery bypass grafting in severe cases

Question 4

Myocardial infarction

Answer 4

• causes: coronary artery blockage, atherosclerosis, blood clot
• sx: squeezing chest pain radiating to shoulder/arm/neck/jaw, SOB, diaphoresis, dizziness, nausea
• tx: aspirin, CPR, defibriliation, anticoagulant med, immediate emergency protocol

Question 5

Aneurysm

Answer 5

• causes: atherosclerosis, smoking, high-cholesterol diet, obesity
• sx: usually none, possible back pain, tachycardia, dizziness
• tx: surgery

Question 6

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Answer 6

• causes: smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high-cholesterol diet, HTN
• sx: SOB, wheezing, peripheral edema in legs, irregular heartbeat
• tx: meds to address tachycardia, diuretic meds to treat edema, antihypertensive meds

Question 7

Mitral valve prolapse

Answer 7

• causes: unknown, hereditary
• sx: mild cases usually have no sx, severe cases can have shortness of breath and palpitations
• tx: none for mild cases, meds to treat sx, surgery to repair

Question 8

Thrombophlebitis

Answer 8

• causes: prolong periods of inactivity, hormone replacement therapy, cancer, paralysis, thrombophlebitis
• sx: pain in affected area, redness, swelling
• tx: heat, compression stockings, anticoagulant meds, surgery