Cardiac Cycle and Chest Pain Symptoms

Anatomical Structures and Physiological Functioning

• The cardiac cycle consists of a series of events that occur in a specific order.
• The cardiac conduction system is responsible for regulating the heartbeat.

Concerning Signs and Symptoms

• Chest pain can be a symptom of:
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), characterized by retrosternal, anterior chest pain, radiation, and discomfort.
  • Pneumothorax, characterized by history of trauma, dyspnea, jugular venous pressure, and auscultatory findings.
  • Tamponade, characterized by blood or effusion, hypotension, narrow pulse pressure, and auscultatory findings.
  • Pulmonary embolus, characterized by sudden-onset dyspnea, tachypnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and pulse oximetry.
  • Aortic dissection, characterized by tearing, ripping, migrating, hypertension, and anatomical findings.
• Palpitations can be a symptom of:
  • Atrial fibrillation, ischaemia, PSVT, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and cardiac failure.
• Shortness of breath can be a symptom of:
  • Acute conditions such as pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, and ACS.
  • Chronic conditions such as cardiac failure and infection.
• Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea/Orthopnea is characterized by:
  • Wheezing or unproductive cough within 1-2 hours of being supine, resolving on position change.
• Edema can be a symptom of:
  • Cardiac disease, renal disease, liver disease, and nutritional disease.
• Fatigue can be a symptom of:
  • Exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, and somnolence.

Physical Assessment

• ECG lead placement:
  • V1: 4th intercostal space to the right of the sternum.
  • V2: 4th intercostal space to the left of the sternum.
  • V3: Midway between V2 and V4.
  • V4: 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
  • V5: Anterior axillary line at the same level as V4.
  • V6: Midaxillary line at the same level as V4 and V5.
  • RL: Anywhere above the ankle and below the torso.
  • RA: Anywhere between the shoulder and the elbow.
  • LL: Anywhere above the ankle and below the torso.
  • LA: Anywhere between the shoulder and the elbow.
• Cardiovascular assessment includes:
  • Jugular Venous Pressure Assessment.
  • Carotid, central, and peripheral pulse assessment.
  • Thrills and Bruits.
  • Cardiac Auscultation.
  • Apical and Right Ventricular Heave.
  • Peripheral signs.

This quiz covers the cardiac cycle, cardiac conduction system, and signs and symptoms of chest pain, including Acute Coronary Syndrome and Pneumothorax.