Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Anatomy and Physiology > Heart Conditions > Flashcards

Heart Conditions Flashcards

1
Q

What is coronary artery disease?

A

Narrowing of the coronary arteries, usually by atheroma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is atheroma?

A

Degeneration of walls of arteries caused by build up of fat and scar tissue, leading to restricting of the circulation and risk of thrombosis (blood clot)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is acute coronary syndrome?

A

Damage or death of heart muscle usually following blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is heart failure?

A

Abnormal back pressure due to inability of the heart to maintain normal circulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is cardiac arrest?

A

Where the heart stops and here is lack of circulating blood to the brain and vital organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is hypercholesterolaemia?

A

Cholesterol is an important substance used in the structure of cell membranes and steroid hormones

Elevated cholesterol as a result of foods high in LDL and HDL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What should normal cholesterol levels for healthy adults be?

A

5mml/l

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is atherosclerosis? And what does it do?

A

Increased deposition of cholesterol into arteries leads to formation of ‘atherosclerotic plaques’.
It is these plaques which narrow lumen of arteries and increase mean arterial pressure (BP)

These atherosclerotic plaques reduce the amount of blood travelling to coronary arteries and thus with significant deposition, chest pain can occur as a result of myocardial ischaemia. If these plaques rupture, arteries can become totally occluded.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is hypertension?

A

High blood pressure = >140/90

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why does hypertension occur?

A

Damaged vasculature which is closely linked to atherosclerotic processes including lipid deposition and plaque formation caused by smoking etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are hypertensive patients at risk of?

A

Myocardial Infarction, angina, cerebrovascular events (strokes and TIAs), subarachnoid haemorrhages and kidney failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does TIA stand for?

A

Transient Ischaemic Attack

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What increases the probability of a person having a TIA?

A

Temporary blood clots

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is arteriosclerosis?

A

A degenerative process in which the vessels of the circulatory system become damaged over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is arteriosclerosis often due to?

A

It is often due to advancing age as collagen and elastin fibres are degraded but it’s onset can be accelerated through smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Alongside arteriosclerosis, what other conditions can increase the risk of an individual having angina or an MI?

A

Hypertension, hypercholestrolaemia, atherosclerosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are some risk factors for cardiac disease?

A

Hypercholestrolemia

Hypertension

Diabetes

Family history of coronary artery disease at an early age

Smoking

Obesity

Alcohol

Physical inactivity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is angina pectoris?

A

Temporary lack of oxygen in the myocardial tissue and the accumulation of carbon dioxide and lactic acid

Related to exertion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is stable angina?

A

It follows a recurrent pattern

Exertion or emotion precipitates pain of similar intensity, duration and location

Most attacks are relieved by rest in 2-3 minutes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are some clinical features of angina?

A

Pain behind breast bone, running the length of the bone and spreading across chest

Pain radiates to throat, jaw and teeth and also into the armpits and arms

Described as heaviness in the arms or chest

Pallor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are some treatments for angina?

A

Rest

Oxygen if required

Administration aspirin

Administration of Glyceryl Trinitrate (GNT)

Pain relief

Hospital

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is aspirin?

A

Acetylsalicylic Acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What form is aspirin in and how much does it contain?

A

In tablet form containing 300 mg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

When would you give aspirin?

A

Clinical ECG evidence of an MI or ischaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the three key actions that aspirin takes?
Anti-platelet Anti-pyretic Anti-inflammatory
26
What are some contra-indications of aspirin?
Known aspirin allergy or sensitivity Children under 16 years Severe hepatic disease Haemophilia Active GI bleeding (gastrointestinal bleeding from mouth to rectum
27
What are some cautions that need to be taken before using aspirin?
``` Asthma Pregnancy Kidney and liver failure Gastric and duodenal ulcers Current treatments with anti-coagulants (blood thinners) ```
28
What are some side effects of aspirin?
Wheezing in asthmatics Gastric bleeding
29
What is GTN?
Glyceryl Trinitrate Metered dose spray containing 400mcg GTN per dose Tablets containing GTN 2, 3 or 5mg for buccal administration
30
What are some indications for the use of GTN?
Cardiac chest pain due to angina or MI Acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
31
What does GTN do?
Vasodilator Dilation of coronary arteries/relief of coronary spasm Dilation of systemic veins resulting in lower preload Reduced BP
32
What are some contra-indication of GTN?
Hypotension (systolic >90mmHg) Hypovolaemia (low blood plasma) Head trauma Cerebral haemorrhage Sildenafil within 24 hours (AKA viagra used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension) Unconscious patients
33
What is needed for GTN to be given for it to work?
The oral mucosa must be moist for GTN absorption
34
How would you use the Sub-lingual spray of GTN?
400-800mcg every 5 mins if required (no Max dose)
35
How would you give buccal tablets of GTN?
2,3 or 5mg tablets - 1 tablet Remove tablet if side effects occur
36
What is Entonox?
Also known as gas and air Combination of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen It is a pain relieving gas It is stored in medical cylinders that have a blue body with white quartered shoulders
37
What are some indications for the use of Entonox?
Moderate to severe pain Labour pains
38
What actions does Entonox have?
Inhaled analgesic agent (diminishes sensation to pain without loss of consciousness)
39
What are some contra-indications for the use of Entonox?
Severe head injuries with impaired consciousness Decompression sickness or anyone who has been diving within the last 24 hours Violently disturbed psychiatric patients Intraocular injections of gas within the last 4 weeks Abdominal pain where intestinal obstruction is suspected
40
What are the three main cautions needed to be taken before administering Entonox?
Pneumothorax - abnormal collection of air in pleural space between lung and chest wall Pneumomedastinum - pressure rises in lungs and causes alveoli to rupture Pneumoperitoneum - abnormal presence of air or other gas in peritoneal cavity, a potential space within the abdominal cavity
41
How is Entonox administered?
Self administered via face mask or mouth piece. Takes 3-5 minutes to become effective and 5-10 minutes for maximum effect Can be used in children who are capable of following administration instructions and can activate the demand valve
42
What is important when using Entonox in colder temps?
Must invest several times because gases separate and need to remix
43
What is acute coronary syndromes?
More serious and indicates increasing obstructions of coronary arteries Unpredictable with changes in frequency, intensity or duration of pain May occur at rest Unstable angina may precede an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) by a few hours a day
44
What is Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)?
Process of death or damage to an area of heart muscle Coronary artery becomes blocked or significantly narrowed Due to blood clot or embolism
45
What is the problem with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?
Prevents oxygen from reaching the muscle beyond the blockage May result in heart failure or death May cause heart arrhythmias
46
What is the different between a STEMI and a NonSTEMI AMI?
STEMI is a full thickness damage of heart muscle NonSTEMI is a partial thickness damage of heart muscle
47
What is the most common cause heart sudden death form heart disease?
AMI | 80% arrest into VF
48
What are the clinical features of AMI?
Severe central chest pain which may radiate to one or both sides of the chest and into the neck, jaw, arms or back and is often described as crushing in nature Heavy feeling in arms or paraesthesia Sweating, fainting, giddiness, nausea and vomiting Sense of impending doom Grey or cyanosed Changes in vital signs
49
What is some treatment options for ATM?
Rest - do not allow to walk Oxygen if SPO2 is less than 94% (88% in COPD) Aspirin GTN Analgesia Monitor Place defib pads on Rapid transport - into a Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) centre if STEMI
50
what is heart failure?
The inability of the heart to pump adequately
51
What is heart failure caused by?
MI Myocarditis Hypertension Valvular heart disease
52
What is left sided heart failure known as?
LVF | Usually more acute and may accompany an AMI
53
What is a symptom of heart failure and why does this happen?
Present as short of breath by fluids retained in lungs
54
When does right sided heart failure usually occur?
It’s usually secondary to LVF (left sided failure) and occurs over time RVF
55
What is some clinical signs of RVF?
Increased to need to urinate at night Oedema in the body (often pitting) Swelling of the abdomen Very rapid weight gain form fluid retention
56
What are some clinical signs of LVF? (Left sided heart failure)
Shortness of breath Reduced ability to exercise Fatigue and weakness Rapid or irregular heartbeat Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus Chest pain if heart failure is caused by heart attack
57
What are some treatment options for LVF?
Rest Oxygen if SPO2 is less than 94% (88% in COPD) GTN Furosemide Salbutamol Prealert
58
What are furosemide contained in and how much is stored?
Ampoules containing furosemide 40mg in 2ml
59
What is an indication for the use of furosemide?
Pulmonary oedema secondary to LVF
60
How does furosemide work?
Potent diuretic with rapid onset (30 minutes) and short duration
61
What are some contraindications for the use of furosemide?
Pre-comatose state secondary to liver cirrhosis Severe renal failure with anuria (can’t produce urine) Children under 18 years old
62
What dosage of furosemide appropriate?
40mg IV slowly over 2 minutes
63
What are some cautions needed to be taken for use of furosemide?
Hypokalaemia (low potassium levels) Pregnancy Hypotension
64
What are some possible side effects of furosemide?
Hypotension Gastrointestinal disturbances
65
What does DVT stand for?
Deep Vein Thrombosis
66
What is DVT?
A blood clot that usually occurs in a deep leg vein, such as the calf or the thigh
67
What are some causes of DVT?
Previous history of DVT or pulmonary embolism Family history of blood clots Inactivity for long periods Blood vessel damage Certain conditions or treatments that cause blood to clot more easily than normal - such as cancer Being pregnant Being overweight or obese The combined contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both contain the female hormone oestrogen which causes blood to clot more easily
68
What are some symptoms of DVT?
Unilateral - swelling in one or both legs Pain or aching in affected area Warm skin Red skin or discoloured Sharp chest pain Shortness of breath Haemoptysis Blood clot breaks free becomes a pulmonary embolism in the lungs

Anatomy and Physiology (26 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions