Cardiovascular 1 Flashcards
(391 cards)
What is arrhythmia?
A general term for any irregularity in the RHYTHM or RATE of the heartbeat
Can you name some specific types of arrhythmias?
- Ectopic beats
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Supraventricular Fibrillation
What are ectopic beats?
- abnormal heartbeat
- occurs outside the normal rhythm of the heart and
DOES NOT ORIGINATE from the hearts NATURAL PACEMAKER (the sinoatrial node) - INSTEAD originates in other areas of the heart such as the ATRIA/ VENTRICILES
What is atrial fibrillation?
RAPID and IRREGULAR electrical impulses fired in the ATRIA (upper chambers of the heart)
Cause ATRIA to FIBRILLATE (quiver)
leading to an IRREGULAR and often RAPID heartbeat
What is tachycardia?
a FAST heart rate
Often exceeding >100beats/ min in ADULTS
What is bradycardia?
a SLOW heart rate (heart beats slower than normal)
Typically fewer than <60 beats/ min in ADULTS
What is atrial flutter?
Rapid contractions of atria
SIMILAR to atrial fibrillation
But occurs in a MORE ORGANIZED and MORE REGULAR PATTERN
What is ventricular tachycardia?
a type of tachycardia that ORIGINATES in VENTRICLES (lower chambers of the heart)
a FAST heart rate
CAN be LIFE- THREATENING and MAY REQUIRE immediate MEDICAL ATTENTION
What is ventricular fibrillation?
a MEDICAL EMERGENCY
can lead to CARDIAC ARREST
It is:
a chaotic and extremely rapid heartbeat in ventricles
results in ventricles quivering instead of contracting#
this means that the heart cannot pump blood effectively
What is supraventricular tachycardia?
A type of tachycardia that originates in a space ABOVE ventricles
This space is NOT the atria by the way!
What is one way to diagnose what arrhythmia a patient is presenting?
ECG
This records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time
Different arrhythmia= different patterns on ECG
How can we treat spontaneous ectopic heart beats in a patient who otherwise has a normal heart rate?
In these cases, treatment is rarely required. Just reassure the patient
However, if they are troubling the patient:
BETA BLOCKERS
( sometimes effective +may be safer than other suppressant drugs)
What are SYMPTOMS of atrial fibrillation?
HEART PALPITATIONS (pounding/ fluttering)
also:
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- tiredness
What are COMPLICATIONS of atrial fibrillation?
STROKE
HEART FAILURE
Why would we want to treat atrial fibrillation?
To REDUCE SYMPTOMS
To PREVENT complications (i.e. stroke & heart failure)
What are the 3 different types of atrial fibrillation?
PAROXYSMAL AF
PERSISTENT AF
PERMENANT AF
Define PAROXYSMAL AF
episodes STOP WITHIN 48 hours WITHOUT TREATMENT
smal= small worry
Define PERSISTENT AF
episodes LAST > 7 days
What is PERMENANT AF
AF is present ALL THE TIME
What are the two general ways we treat atrial fibrillation?
Either by
CONTROLLING THE RHYTHM
or
CONTROLLING THE RATE
How is RHYTHM CONTROL achieved?
By CARDIOVERSION
There are TWO types of cardioversion:
- electrical
- pharmacological
What is electrical cardioversion?
Electrodes are placed on the chest
They send electric signals to your heart
To restore and maintain the rhythm of your heart
What is pharmacological cardioversion
Anti- arrhythmic drugs are used to restore and maintain the rhythm of your heart
When can we NOT use cardioversion?
- if symptoms > 48 hours as there is an INCREASED risk of stroke
(basically cause atrial fibrillation can cause blood to pool and clots to form- so longer patient has had symptoms- the higher the chances that a clot has formed)
- if have to do cardioversion tho even tho symptoms > 48 hours, ELECTRICAl IS preferred