SLA 18 - IHD and Heart Failure Flashcards
Which diseases are under the umbrella term coronary heart disease (CHD)?
- angina
- acute coronary syndromes (ACS)
- heart failure
- atrial fibrillation
What is the Health Check Programme (NHS England)?
Everyone aged 40-74 years, who has not already been diagnosed with CVD, diabetes or CKD, is invited every 5 years for a free health check.
Health check includes:
- CVD risk assessment (using QRISK)
- alcohol consumption
- assessment for dementia
- screening for diabetes mellitus
- screening for CKD
What treatment is offered for the primary prevention of CVD to people with an estimated QRISK ≥10%?
20mg atorvastatin OD
Also offer lifestyle advice:
- smoking cessation
- weight loss (if overweight)
- eating a healthy diet
- keeping alcohol consumption within recommended limits
- being physically active
What treatment is offered for the secondary prevention of CVD?
80mg atorvastatin OD
Give the risk factors for CHD.
- older age
- male sex
- family history of CVD
- smoking
- high LDL-C
- lack of physical activity
- unhealthy diet
- alcohol intake above recommended levels
- obesity
- hypertension
- diabetes mellitus
- CKD
- dyslipidaemia
- rheumatoid arthritis
- periodontitis
What is angina?
The pain or constricting discomfort in the chest, neck, shoulders, jaw, or arms caused by an insufficient blood supply to the myocardium.
Pathophysiology of angina.
Atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries cause progressive narrowing of the lumen, and symptoms occur when blood flow does not provide adequate amounts of oxygen to the myocardium at times when oxygen demand increases (e.g. during exercise).
This is a demand ischaemia; no infarct.
Presentation of stable angina.
Typical angina presents with all three of the following features:
- precipitated by physical exertion
- constricting discomfort in the front of the chest, in the neck, shoulders, jaw, or arms
- relieved by rest of GTN within around 5 minutes
Which symptoms would indicate hospital admission for a person presenting with angina?
- pain at rest
- pain on minimal exertion
- angina that seems to be progressing rapidly despite increasing medical treatment
Sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN):
a) drug class
b) MOA in angina
c) adverse reactions
a) nitrates
b) elevates cGMP in smooth muscle of coronary arteries, causing vasodilation. This increases perfusion of myocardium.
c) headaches; flushing; dizziness
Atenolol
a) drug class
b) MOA in angina
c) adverse reactions
d) contraindications
e) drug interactions
a) beta-blocker
b) antagonises beta-adrenoreceptors on myocardium, slowing heart rate. This lengthens diastole allowing greater perfusion of coronary arteries.
c) bronchospasms; heart block; Reynaud’s; impotence
d) asthma; COPD; hepatic failure
e) beta-blockers plus non-dihydropyridine CCB increases risk of asystole / cardiac failure
Verapamil
a) drug class
b) MOA in angina
c) adverse reactions
d) contraindications
e) drug interactions
a) phenylakylamine CCB
b) antagonises L-type calcium channels in the myocardium, limiting calcium influx into the cells. This prolongs the action potential thus reducing heart rate. Diastole lengthens, allowing increased perfusion of coronary arteries.
c) constipation; bradycardia; heart block; cardiac failure
d) poor LV function; AV nodal conduction delay
e) verapamil plus beta-blocker increases risk of asystole / cardiac failure.
What instructions should be given to a patient when using GTN spray in an angina attack?
- stop what they are doing and rest
- use GTN as instructed
- take a second dose after 5 minutes if the pain has not eased
- call 999 for an ambulance if the pain has not eased within 5 minutes after the second dose, or earlier if the pain is intensifying.
What are the three ACS?
- Unstable angina
- ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI)
- Non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
Pathophysiology of unstable angina.
Atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries ruptures and a thrombus forms, causing partial occlusion of the vessel.
This is a supply ischaemia; no infarct.
Pathophysiology of NSTEMI.
Atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries ruptures and a thrombus forms, causing partial occlusion of the vessel.
This results in injury and infarct to the sub-endocardial myocardium.
Pathophysiology of STEMI.
Atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries ruptures and a thrombus forms, causing complete occlusion of the vessel.
This results in transmural infarct and injury.
Presentation of ACS.
Chest pain:
- retrosternal, crushing, heavy, severe or diffuse
- occur at rest or on activity
- may be constant or intermittent
- radiates to left arm, neck and jaw
Associated with:
- nausea / vomiting
- dyspnoea
- diaphoresis
- light-headedness
- palpitations
- syncope
What is the early management for ACS in primary care?
- morphine
- oxygen
- nitrates
- aspirin 300mg
Arrange emergency referral to hospital via ambulance.
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Designed to improve cardiovascular health if you have experienced a heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty or heart surgery.
- exercise counselling and training
- education for heart-healthy living (ie. smoking and nutrition advice)
- conselling to reduce stress
What non-pharmacological secondary prevention is offered to patients following an MI?
- cardiac rehabilitation
- lifestyle changes (e.g. smoking cessation, healthy diet, moderate physical activity, weight loss)
What is atrial fibrillation?
A supraventricular tachycardia resulting from irregular, disorganised electrical activity and ineffective contraction of the atria.