Cardiovascular Disorders
Notes
Pericarditis
• Infection of pericardium
• S/S – fever, pain in chest, difficulty breathing, palpitations, sweats/chills, pale skin, swelling of chest
• Tx – antibiotics, surgery
Arrhythmia
• Irregular heart beat• Fast – tachycardia• Slow – bradycardia• Lacking – asystole• S/S – weakness /
dizziness• Tx – meds,
defibrillator, pace maker
Coronary Heart Disease
• Umbrella – heart conditions– Heart failure
– Heart attack
• Angina – Pain in chest (exercise)
– Discomfort in shoulder
– Shortness of breath
Atherosclerosis
• Hardening/narrowing of arteries
• Plaque deposits (cholesterol)– Prone to blood clots
• Reduction in blood flow – Heart Attack
– Stroke
• Tx: Medication, angioplasty/stents, bypass surgery
Heart Failure
• Heart cannot carry out its pumping function– Weak contractions
– Blood circulation slows
– No oxygen for cells
– Veins hold more blood
• Congestive Heart Failure– Fluid in lungs and
extremities
S/S of Heart Failure
• Dry cough, shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness / fainting
• Swollen legs and ankles
• Fluid in lungs
• Increased urination
Heart Attack
• Myocardial Infarction– Decreased blood
supply to heart
• Often due to thrombosis (blood clot)– Blocks coronary artery
Signs of a Heart Attack
• Crushing pain in chest• Abdominal pain
similar to heart burn• Radiating back pain• Sharp pain radiating in
shoulder/neck• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness / fainting• Nausea / vomiting• Profuse sweating• Rapid heart rate• Feeling of impending
doom• Lasting fatigue
Risk Factors for a Heart Attack
• High BP• Diet rich in fats• Obesity• Diabetes• High cholesterol• More common in men than women (Δ)• Family history• Smoking
Diagnosis
Echocardiography
• Ultrasound of moving heart
Electrocardiograph (ECG / EKG)
• Records electrical activity – Electrocardiogram
• One cycle of working heart
Treatments
Angioplasty
• Catheter inserted in blood vessel up to narrowed artery
• End widens vessel– Balloon
• Widens lumen and blood flows easily– Compresses plaques
Stents
• Catheter install stent– Tiny metal tube shaped
device
• Remain in place to keep artery open
Bypass Surgery
• Blood is rerouted around problem area
• Surgeon removes vessel from other site
• Clips artery above and below problem site and reattaches new vessel
• Heart is stopped during procedure
Heart Transplant
• Recommended for heart failure patients– Need donors
• Mechanical Implant– Left Ventricular
Assist Device
– Used until donor can be found
Medications
• Nitrates (Nitroglycerin) – vasodilator
• Thrombolytic agents – clot-busting drug
• Beta Blockers / ACE inhibitors – decrease BP, reduce demands on heart