what is CAD
coronary artery disease; caused by heart muscle becomes hardened/ narrowed by plaque buildup
what is plaque
fatty deposits
What is arteriosclerosis?
hardening or thickening of the artery walls
is it the ekg technician's job to diagnose patients?
no, it is never the ekg technician's job to treat/ diagnose patients
how can CAD result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
CAD damages the coronary arteries while increasing blood pressure and decreasing blood flow to heart. A total blockage of an artery results in an MI
what can result in the formation of a blood clot?
plaque becoming dislodged or damage in artery
what is a thrombus?
stationary blood clot
what is an embolus?
a blood clot that has broken loose and is floating freely in the blood stream
what causes ischemia?
an embolus blocking a coronary artery, causes heart to receive insufficient oxygen
what is angina pectoris?
chest pain caused by ischemia; is a symptom of arteriosclerosis
what can worsen angina pectoris?
stress or physical effort
What is unstable angina?
chest pain that occurs at rest/ without stress
what can an MI decrease?
cardiac output
what are symptoms of low cardiac output?
fatigue, loss of consciousness, weak pulse, cold/ cyanotic extremities, and low BP
what is cardiac arrest?
total loss of heart function
what are some signs of an MI?
angina pectoris, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), nausea, weakness, dyspnea (SOB), neck/ jaw pain, pain radiating to arm, feelings of impending doom, decreased consciousness, and cardiac arrest (absence of pulse)
what is cardiomyopathy?
when the myocardium is enlarged, causing the heart to pump ineffectively
what can cardiomyopathy cause?
it can cause blood to back up and damage valves; also puts pressure on blood vessels throughout the pulmonary and systematic circuits
what is a pulmonary edema?
fluid in the lungs that reaches the alveoli and interferes with gas exchanges-caused by vessel damage and decreased blood circulation
what is peripheral edema?
fluid buildup in body, usually in lower legs and feet, sometimes results in severe swelling in abdomen
symptoms of cardiomyopathy?
fatigue, low extremity edema (swelling), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), orthopnea ( difficulty breathing when lying flat), and weakness
what is CHF?
congestive heart failure; occurs when heart is unable to pump effectively
what can CHF affect?
right side of heart- blood backs up in large veins that are returning blood from right atrium, can also back up in jugular veins and organs that filter blood like liver or spleen; left side of heart- blood backs up in pulmonary veins and then to the lungs, this results in fluid leaking and building up which causes dyspnea, orthopnea, and sputum. Left side CHF will result in right side failure
symptoms of right sided CHF?
liver congestion, spleen congestion, ascites (abnormal fluid in abdominal cavity), lower extremity edema
symptoms of left sided CHF?
lower extremity edema, tachycardia, dyspnea, orthopnea, neck vain distention (bulging neck veins), cough that produces sputum
what to heart valves prevent?
regurgitation or backflow of blood
what is regurgitation?
the valve does not close properly and blood backflows through the valve
what can affect valve function?
congenital defects
what is mitral valve prolapse?
an example of heart valve disease where one or both of the valve flaps cant close properly
what can backflow/ regurgitation increase?
risk of blood clots
symptoms that can be a result of valve disease getting worse?
extremity edema, weakness, chest pain, heart palpitations, cough, weight gain, abdominal swelling
how can blood clots occur?
when blood flows through damaged arteries, when plaque breaks loose from the artery wall, or when blood pools into the heart or veins in the lower extremities
what does it mean when a blood clot occludes?
its when a blood clot or thrombus plugs up a vessel where it forms
difference between embolus and thrombus?
embolus- can move to other parts of the body like lungs or brain before it occludes; thrombus- clot doesn't move before it occludes
what happens when a vessel becomes occluded with a clot?
the tissue supplied by that vein dies
what is a DVT (deep vein thrombosis)?
a blood clot forms in veins of legs or pelvis/ arms (more uncommon then legs) can travel or stay where it forms
symptoms of DVT?
pain and swelling in affected extremity, warmth in affected extremity, redness in affected extremity
what is a pulmonary embolism?
when DVT travels to lungs and interferes with circulation and breathing
signs of pulmonary embolism?
dyspnea, chest pain, feelings of uneasiness, cyanosis (blue/ gray colored skin due to lack of oxygen)
what can cause a CVA (cerebrovascular accident) aka a stroke?
clots forming in arteries, which blocks blood flow to the brain
the difference between clots in veins / clots in arteries?
clots in veins block blood flow to through the coronary arteries which can result in an MI; clots in arteries blocks blood flow to the brain, resulting in a CVA
symptoms of CVA?
aphasia (difficulty speaking), confusion, hemiparesis (weakness on one side of body), hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of body), facial drooping, sudden/ severe headaches, dizziness, vision changes
how can clots be treated?
depending on size and location; some can be surgically removed, dissolved using medications, while long term solutions like blood-thinner medications can help
what is hypertension?
high blood pressure
how is hypertension diagnosed?
when a person's BP consistently measures 130/80 mm Hg or above
what risks can contribute to hypertension?
smoking, obesity, a diet high in fats or salts, stress, and heredity (ex- African Americans have a greater risk for inherited hypertension)
signs of hypertension?
headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, nosebleeds
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