CARDIOVASCULAR

Question 1

What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

Answer 1

• tissues/organs may become ischemic (lack oxygen) and may die (infarction) due to blockage of arteries

Question 2

What causes CVD?

Answer 2

• atherosclerosis (fatty deposits/plaque)
• thrombus (clot)
• arterial spasm (intermittent constriction)

Question 3

What are the risks of atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

• smoking
• elevated LDL + lowered HDL
• hypertension
• obesity + physical inactivity
• age
• males more than females

Question 4

How do you prevent atherosclerosis?

Answer 4

• diet (less processed food)
• exercise
• refrain from smoking

Question 5

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

Answer 5

Arteries become blocked = tissues become ischemic = possible infarction

Question 6

What are the risk factors of CAD?

Answer 6

• smoking
• hypertension
• obesity + physical inactivity
• hypercholesteremia
• diabetes mellitus
• family history

Question 7

What are the symptoms of CAD during exertion?

Answer 7

• increased sympathetic NS activation
• increased HR, BP, heart contractility
• myocardial ischemia (if demand exceeds supply)

Question 8

What are the symptoms of ischemia?

Answer 8

• once exertion decreases, pain goes away

Question 9

What are the symptoms of chronic stable angina?

Answer 9

• chest pain beginning 3-5 mins after activity
• moderate intensity pain
• pain radiating down L arm
• subsides with rest or nitroglycerin

Question 10

What is myocardial infarction (heart attack)?

Answer 10

Cell/tissue death as a result of reduced oxygenation ability

Question 11

What are the symptoms of MI?

Answer 11

• sudden onset severe chest pain, can radiate into left arm
• pain lasts 30-60 mins
• unrelieved by rest or nitroglycerin
• pain is constant
• SOB

Question 12

What is peripheral artery disease (vascular occlusive disease)?

Answer 12

Narrowing of arteries cause by atherosclerosis

Question 13

What are the symptoms of PAD/VOD?

Answer 13

• most common is intermittent claudication (pain in legs)
• localized by site of occlusion
• loss of hair on toes
• exercise tolerance decreases over time

Question 14

What are the risk factors for VOD?

Answer 14

• diabetes
• smoking
• hypertension
• males more than females
• age > 50

Question 15

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

Answer 15

Dilation of a vessel with diameter 50% greater than normal

Question 16

What are the symptoms of AAA?

Answer 16

• mostly asymptomatic
• constant or intermittent pain
• sharp, intense pain
• pain unchanging with position
• early satiety, weight loss

Question 17

What is hypertension (HTN)?

Answer 17

Consistently elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure

Question 18

What is the normal BP?

Answer 18

<120mmHg/<80mmHg

Question 19

What is an elevated BP?

Answer 19

120-129mmHg/<80mmHg

Question 20

What is the BP for stage 1 HTN?

Answer 20

130-139mmHg/80-89mmHg

Question 21

What is the BP for stage 2 HTN?

Answer 21

> 140mmHg/>90mmHg

Question 22

What are the symptoms of HTN?

Answer 22

• asymptomatic in early stages
• morning headache
• occipital headache
• vertigo
• spontaneous epistaxis
• vision changes
• nocturnal urinary frequency

Question 23

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Answer 23

Formation of thrombus in deep vein that impedes the return of blood to the heart

Question 24

What are the risk factors for DVT?

Answer 24

• family history
• congestive cardiac failure
• oral contraceptive use
• immobilization of inactivity
• blood disorders

Question 25

What are the symptoms of DVT?

Answer 25

- unilateral tenderness or leg pain - unilateral swelling - pitting edema - discoloration/redness - prominent superficial veins

Question 26

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

Answer 26

Blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream

Question 27

What are the symptoms of PE?

Answer 27

- dyspnea - tachypnea - persistent cough - tachycardia - palpitat