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