Clinical Interest

Question 1

Angina

Answer 1

Pain or discomfort which occurs when the heart does not receive adequate blood flow – and thus oxygen – to the heart muscle. Angina may be experienced in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, shoulder or back. No permanent damage is done to the heart.

Question 2

Arrhythmia

Answer 2

An abnormal rhythm of the heart, including rate, regularity, or site of impulse origin.

Question 3

Aortic insufficiency

Answer 3

An incomplete closing of the aortic valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left ventricle.

Question 4

Aortic stenosis

Answer 4

A narrowing of the aortic valve, causing the left ventricle to work harder, but limiting the amount of blood that can be pumped forward into the aorta

Question 5

Atrial fibrillation

Answer 5

A rapid and irregular rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). As a result, the lower chambers also beat irregularly. This condition requires diagnosis and treatment.

Question 6

Atherosclerosis

Answer 6

A disease process in which fatty substances (plaque), such as cholesterol, are deposited on the inner lining of blood vessels.

Question 7

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 7

a general term for a condition that is characterized by the thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries.

Question 8

Cardiomyopathy

Answer 8

Chronic disease of the heart muscle.

Question 9

Carotid stenosis/Carotid artery disease

Answer 9

a narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by a buildup of plaque inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain.

Question 10

CV disease

Answer 10

Conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

Question 11

Congestive heart failure

Answer 11

The condition which results when the heart is unable to pump adequately.

Question 12

CHF can result from

Answer 12

coronary heart disease

Question 13

Coronary artery disease

Answer 13

A condition in which the arteries supplying the heart muscle become blocked.

Question 14

CAD risk factors

Answer 14

• HTN
• family Hx
• smoking
• diabetes
• obesity
• diet
• stress

Question 15

HTN

Answer 15

High BP = >135/85

Question 16

Hypotension

Answer 16

The tolerance for low blood pressure varies greatly, but generally a systolic blood pressure <90

Question 17

Mitral insufficiency

Answer 17

An incomplete closing of the mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium.

Question 18

Mitral stenosis

Answer 18

A narrowing of the mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium.

Question 19

Myocardial infarction - STEMI/NSTEMI

Answer 19

A “heart-attack”, with loss of part of the heart muscle due to a severe decrease in blood supply.

Question 20

Myocarditis

Answer 20

An inflammatory disease of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can result from a variety of causes. Permanent damage to the heart occurs.

Question 21

Pericarditis

Answer 21

Two thin membranes enclose the heart in a sac-like structure. If these membranes become irritated or inflamed, the condition is known as pericarditis.

Question 22

Pericardial tamponade

Answer 22

A dangerous form of pericarditis. The membranes enclosing the heart do not easily stretch, so if fluid accumulates between the membranes and the heart, pressure from it may prevent the heart from working as a pump.

Question 23

Peripheral artery disease - PAD

Answer 23

Narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.

Question 24

Peripheral vascular disease - PVD

Answer 24

Narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel. PVD may involve disease in any of the blood vessels outside of the heart including the arteries, veins, or lymphatic vessels.

Question 25

Vein graft

Answer 25

A piece of a vein taken from either a leg or arm that is used to bypass the damaged coronary artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

Question 26

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer 26

A very rapid, uncoordinated, ineffective series of contractions throughout the lower chambers of the heart.