Willard and Spackman - Cardiac and Pulmonary Conditions Flashcards
Cardiac Conditions
Any condition that originates in and/or affects the heart
Conditions are often diagnosed following a cardiac event
If condition is identified before event
General practitioner conducts first stages of diagnosis via a physical exam. Checks: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, family medical history
To further evaluate condition, diagnosis and develop treatment plan, cardiologist may use: electrocardiogram, ultrasound, chest X-ray, stress test, angiogram, cardiac enzyme blood test, cardiac catheterization
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
- Most common heart disease
- plaque buildup which narrows blood vessels that supply heart
- Can lead to heart attack, angina (chest pain, discomfort or tightness) or other complications
Myocardial Infarction (MI) aka Heart Attack
Insufficient oxygenated blood flow causes damage or death to portion of cardiac muscle
During MI, person may enter cardiac arrest
Congestive Heart Failure
Different types:
- left-sided systolic heart failure
- left-sided diastolic heart failure
- right-sided heart failure
- chronic and progressive condition
- heart does not sufficiently pump blood to maintain body’s need for oxygenated blood
- Different from cardiac arrest
Congenital Heart Defects
- present from birth, caused by abnormalities in prenatal development in of the structures or blood vessels of heart
- defects vary and can include abnormal heart valves or holes in the walls of the heart
- diagnosis often made at birth or in early infancy after presentation of symptoms, diagnosis sometimes made during pregnancy
Arrhythmia
- a change in the normal electrical impulses that generate heartbeat
- most are harmless, but could result in cardiac arrest
Cardiac Arrest
- sudden loss of heart function, death within minutes
- May be reversed and life saved if CPR is performed OR a defibrillator is used immediately
Incidence and Prevalence
One in 3 US adults (approx. 82.6 million) have at least one cardiovascular disease (cardiac condition, as well as stroke and hypertension)
16.3 million have CHD, 5.7 have heart failure, and 650K have heart defects
CHD Cause
CHD caused by atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis - narrowing of vessels from a buildup of plaque in the artery walls that supply the heart
Risk factors: high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity/overweight, diet, inactivity, alcohol use
Genetics likely plays a role, but unclear if cause is actually shared environment/lifestyle choices
MI Cause
MI caused by blood flow being stopped or impeded to the coronary artery (often by blood clots in arteries after piece of plaque breaks)
CHF Cause
CHF caused by several compounding conditions (hypertension, CHD, MI, congenital heart defects & diabetes)
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects develop due to genetics, environmental factors or behavior/lifestyle choices on behalf of mother (uses drugs, smokes, drinks during pregnancy)
Arrhythmia Cause
Arrhythmia caused by HD, MI or conditions where cells responsible for electrical conduction are affected
a. Could be result of congenital conditions, side effects to medications or use of addictive substances
b. Can cause MI, cardiac arrest or stroke
Signs of cardiac event
- change in pattern of angina or shortness of breath
- heart palpitations/”fluttering”
- lightheadedness, dizziness, confusion, fainting or near-fainting
- more fatigue than expected
- unusual pain in joints/muscles after exercise
- sweating
- drop in BP of 20mm Hg or more or HR 20 BPM or more over resting rate