Wk 6 Cardiology Pathology Pt 1 Flashcards
Coronary arteries branch from the __
aorta
What do the coronary arteries do?
Give cardiac cells oxygenated blood so that the heart can continue pumping
What causes coronary arteries to become clogged?
Atherosclerosis
What coronary artery is the most problematic for people with CAD?
Left anterior descending artery
What is the left anterior descending artery often referred to as?
The widow maker
What is the widow maker?
The left anterior descending artery
What part of the heart does the left anterior descending artery feed?
Left ventricle
What is the left ventricle often referred to as?
Powerhouse of the heart
What is the main function of the left ventricle?
Feeds the body, determines perfusion to body
What happens when the left anterior descending coronary artery becomes clogged?
A lot of people end up dying (widow maker)
Where is the left anterior descending coronary artery?
What are the 3 main problems you can have with the heart?
Electrical (conduction)
Plumbing (Artery blockage, spasm, of valve issues)
Pump (heart muscle)
What is stable angina?
Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that causes heart muscle cells to die
Not everyone who has CAD has had a __ __
heart attack, but it does put you at very high risk for MI
5 non-modifiable risk factors for CAD
Age
Family History
Gender
Ethnicity
Genetics
Who is more likely to get CAD earlier in life?
Men
When do women have the same risk of getting CAD as men?
After menopause
What hormone is thought to have a protective effect against CAD and atherosclerosis?
Estrogen
What races are more likely to have atherosclerosis/CAD? (3)
African Americans
Hispanics
Native Americans
What ethnicity is more likely to die from CAD compared to other ethnicities?
Black/African Americans
What are 7 modifiable risk factors for CAD?
HTN
Smoking
DM
Obesity
Diet
Hyperlipidemia
Depression/Stress
__ has a direct effect on endothelial cell walls in the coronary arteries
Smoking
Nicotine stimulates __ which increases hyperlipidemia and hypertension
catecholamines
How does diabetes contribute to CAD?
Insulin resistance damages the endothelium artery linings, increases inflammation
What type of obesity in particular increases the risk of CAD?
Android obesity
What diet is protective against CAD?
DASH
What is the most important modifiable risk factor for CAD?
Hyperlipidemia
What heart issue is a “plumbing” issue?
Ischemic heart problems
What is the etiology of ischemic heart problems?
Atherosclerosis develops in the arteries that supply the myocardium, they become blocked which causes decreased tissue perfusion
What is the end result of ischemic heart problems?
Endothelial dysfunction, the heart must work harder to pump
__ __ is a major contributor to CAD and MIs
Endothelial dysfunction
In coronary endothelial dysfunction, the vessels aren’t necessarily blocked but are…
Narrowed when they are supposed to dilate
Coronary artery disease is thought to be result inappropriate hormones in the body such as.. (4)
DM
HTN
HPL
Smoking
A combination of what two things leads to decreased blood flow to the heart from the coronary arteries?
Endothelial dysfunction (don’t dilate)
Plaque accumulation
What is the main symptom of CAD?
Angina
CAD symptoms may be
not apparent
What causes an MI?
A complete occlusion of the coronary arteries
What are the symptoms of CAD? (9)
Angina
Heartburn
Irregular HR
Weakness
Dizziness
Anxiety
Nausea
Cold sweat
Burning sensation
Where might a patient with CAD experience a burning sensation?
Chest, shoulder, or abdominal region
What is stable angina?
Coronary blood flow is diminished but not completely blocked
When does stable angina occur?
When there is an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand of the myocardium
What provokes/relieves stable angina?
It’s brought on by exertion and relieved by rest
When does unstable angina occur?
At rest
What can often be a precursor to experiencing angina?
Eating a large meal
Angina is often mistaken for what?
Heartburn
What type of angina is severe and of new onset?
Unstable angina
What type of angina occurs in a cresendo - decrescendo pattern?
Stable angina
What type of angina occurs in a decrescendo pattern?
Unstable angina
How long does unstable angina last?
Greater than 10 minutes
How long does stable angina last?
2-5 minutes
What is important to do when determining the cause of angina?
Exclude the heart being the cause before looking at other causes
What is the difference between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain?
Cardiac = pressure or tightness
Non-cardiac= sharp or stabbing
Which chest pain is poorly localized?
Cardiac
Which chest pain IS localized?
Non-cardiac
What is cardiac chest pain associated with?
Physical exertion or other stress
What is angina most often caused by?
atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries
Prolonged angina may present what acute syndrome?
Myocardial infarction
What 3 anatomical places are associated with angina?
Left arm
Jaw
Shoulder
What 2 signs might you see on a patient with angina?
Diaphoresis
Pallor
Women may experience what instead of chest pressure or pain?
Hot or burning sensation
Tenderness
A woman experiencing a MI may not have…
Pain in the chest
What are the 6 nonspecific symptoms a woman may experience during a MI/coronary atherosclerosis
Indigestion
Heartburn
Nausea
Fatigue/Weakness
Light-headedness
Dyspnea
What are the possible areas a patient will experience pain during a myoardial infarction? (5)
Radiating pain of..
Neck
Jaw
Upper abdomen
Shoulders
Arm
Myocardial infarction pain is NOT brought on by…
exertion
Myocardial infarction pain is usually accompanied by what symptoms? (3)
N/V
SOA
Diaphoresis
If someone is experiencing a myocardial infarction, the pain will NOT be…
Relieved in 2-5 minutes or by resting
Why do we recommend a patient sit down if they are experiencing stable angina?
Because we want to decrease oxygen demand on the heart
What medication do we give for stable angina?
Nitrates
What 3 things do we do for stable angina?
Stop smoking
Treat HTN
Treat hyperlipidemia
