8.3

Question 1

1. What does cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompass?

Answer 1

CVD includes coronary artery disease (MI, angina), stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, and others.

Question 2

2. How is ischemia different from infarction?

Answer 2

Ischemia is an oxygen supply-demand mismatch; infarction is tissue death (necrosis) resulting from prolonged ischemia.

Question 3

3. What occluding events can lead to MI and stroke?

Answer 3

Plaque rupture with thrombosis and embolism can occlude coronary or cerebral arteries, leading to infarction.

Question 4

4. What are the two main types of stroke?

Answer 4

Ischemic stroke (arterial blockage, ~85% of cases) and hemorrhagic stroke (arterial rupture, ~15% of cases).

Question 5

5. What are common clinical manifestations of stroke?

Answer 5

Focal neurological deficits such as unilateral weakness, numbness, visual or speech disturbances, often confirmed by CT imaging.

Question 6

6. How are myocardial infarctions (MIs) classified?

Answer 6

MI is classified as Type 1 (plaque rupture/thrombosis), Type 2 (supply-demand mismatch), Type 3 (sudden death without biomarkers), Type 4 (post-PCI), and Type 5 (post-CABG).

Question 7

7. What are typical symptoms and diagnostic markers of MI?

Answer 7

Crushing chest pain, referred pain in the jaw/arm, nausea, and diagnostic findings on ECG with elevated troponin levels.

Question 8

8. What complications can arise following an MI?

Answer 8

Complications include arrhythmias, pericarditis, myocardial rupture, ventricular aneurysm, and heart failure.

Question 9

9. What complications are associated with stroke?

Answer 9

Stroke can lead to persistent neurological deficits, seizures, hydrocephalus, and an increased risk of subsequent events.

Question 10

10. What is the key take-home message for MI and stroke?

Answer 10

Rapid occlusion leads to infarction; prompt diagnosis using ECG, biomarkers, and imaging is crucial to minimize irreversible damage.