Circulatory Emergencies Flashcards
(33 cards)
Where does the blood from each chamber of the heart come from/go to?
Left atria receives blood from the lungs and pumps into left ventricle. Left ventricle pumps to the rest of the body.
Right atria receives from the body and pumps into the right ventricle. Right ventricle pumps to the lungs.
Def’n: Cardiovascular Disease
A broad range of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels
Def’n: Arteriosclerosis
When the arteries become hardened, narrowed, and less elastic
Occurs gradually and from cholesterol and fatty deposits building up on the interior walls of the arteries
What are some examples of controllable vs uncontrollable cardiac disease risk factors?
Controllable:
Hypertension
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Weight
Alcohol consumption
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Uncontrollable:
Age
Gender
Family history
Ethnicity
History of stroke or TIA
Def’n: Angina (aka Angine Pectori)
Intermittent chest pain/pressure that is exacerbated by many factors
Occurs when the oxygen demands of the heart exceed the available supply of oxygen rich blood
Coronary artery blocked/narrowed -> sufficient blood/O2 not reaching heart -> chest pain
What are some causes of angina?
PA
Exercise
Stress
Extreme cold or hot temperatures
Drinking or smoking
What are the two types of angina?
Stable Angina
- Predictable pattern of pain
- Can be relieved with rest and medication
- Usually not life threatening
- Lasts less than 10 minutes with treatment/cessation of activity
Unstable Angina
- Pain is not typical for the individual
- May occur at rest
- Lasts longer than 10 mins even with rest/medication
- For those who have experienced it before, pain is more intense and lasts longer than normal
- Warning sign that MI is imminent
S/S: Angina
Pain in centre of chest (squeezing,g suffocating, burning)
Tightness/pressure/aching in chest or arms
Persistent feeling of indigestion
Nausea, vomiting
Pale, cool, diaphoretic skin (diaphoretic = sweating profusely)
Discomfort in neck or between scapula
Numbness in arms, wrists or shoulders
What is the treatment for Angina?
Place patient in comfortable position
Assist with their PRESCRIBED medication
Advise/list benefits of taking ASA - if patient does not have nitroglycerine or has unstable angina
- 2 80 mg tablets or one regular dose
O2 administration as needed, monitor vitals
What are the 6 R’s of medication?
Right person
Right medicine
Right route
Right dose
Right time
Right to decline
What does nitroglycerin do? How is it administered?
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and comes in a pill or sublingual spray. In case of angina, increases rate of blood flow to the heart, which can reduce chest pain.
Max 3 doses in 5 mins
Check for ED drugs
Check BP
How does treatment differ between Unstable Angina and an MI?
Trick question! It doesn’t. You treat them the same
Def’n: Myocardial Infarction
Death of myocardial tissue when O2 supply has been cut off
This is due to a blocked portion of a coronary vessel
S/S: MI
Can vary greatly between individuals
Gastric discomfort
Breathing difficulty
Persistent chest pain/discomfort
Pain radiating to arms, shoulders, neck, jaw
Pale/bluish skin
General malaise
Moist/sweaty skin
Treatment: MI
Same as unstable angina
ASA only as an AT, as nitroglycerin is a prescribed medication so there will be none available
Be prepared for CPR and AED
Early EMS activation!
Def’n: Congestive Heart Failure
Abnormal heart condition in which the heart’s pumping ability is diminished
May be result of an MI, valvular disease, ischemic heart disease - or any disease that affects the myocardium
Def’n: Left sided heart failure
Often caused by MI or chronic hypertension - HT causes due to left ventricle constantly pumping against restricted blood vessels of the body
Left ventricle loses the ability to effectively pump blood through the body
Blood coming from lungs backs up. Causes fluid to leak into lungs
Def’n: Right sided heart failure
Usually occurs as a consequence of left sided heart failure
Left vent failure increases fluid pressure that transfers through lungs and eventually right vent is unable to keep up
Also can be caused by MI, pulmonary embolism, COPD
Blood backs up in body (veins), causing swelling in feet and lower legs
Def’n: Cerebrovascular Accidents
I.e. stroke
A disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain
Brain tissue rapidly becomes hypoxic and suffers damage
The patient will experience deficits in the areas controlled by the damaged tissue (speech, motor skills, memory, etc.)
What are the differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic CVAs?
Ischemic CVAs occur when a cerebral artery is blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to the area
Hemorrhagic CVAs is when a blood vessel bursts, causing blood to enter the brain tissue (intracerebral) or the the space between brain and skull (subarachnoid)
Def’n: Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Caused by reduced blood flow to a part of the brain
‘Transient’ - temporary - S/S disappear within minutes to hours
Body clears blockage and blood flow returns to normal on its own
Referred to as a warning stroke
S/S: Stroke/TIA
Weakness/numbness in face, arm, leg
Difficulty speaking/understanding speech
Blurred or dimmed vision
Unequal pupils
Ears ringing
Loss of bladder control
Changes in LOR
How do you care for someone experiencing a stroke or TIA?
No food or drink
NO ASA/ASPIRIN FOR STROKE PATIENTS
Position patient so you can manually clear airway (recovery)
Def’n: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
A combo of assisted ventilations and chest compressions. Artificially replicate the function of the lungs and heart until patient can receive advanced medical care
