Cardiovascular Conditions – Description & Management

Study Notes

Cardiovascular Conditions Overview

Main conditions include Coronary Artery Disease, Acute Coronary Syndromes, Stable Angina, Heart Failure, and Sickle Cell disease.
Focus on signs, symptoms, and management of cardiovascular disorders.

Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

Heredity: Family history increases susceptibility.
Obesity: Higher risk linked to excess body weight.
Gender: Males at greater risk until women’s menopause, after which risk for females increases.
Diet: High intake of refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and cholesterol contribute to risk.
Age: Risk increases with advancing age.
Smoking: Major modifiable risk factor.
Diabetes Mellitus: Elevates risk significantly.
Emotional Stress: Can exacerbate conditions.
Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure is detrimental.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity raises risk.
Cholesterol Levels: High LDL (bad cholesterol) contributes to disease.
Alcohol Consumption: Excessive intake is harmful.

Atherosclerosis

Accumulation of cholesterol in the tunica media leads to plaque formation.
White blood cells encase cholesterol, creating a fibrous cap that narrows arteries.
Can result in ischaemia (reduced blood flow) or infarction (complete blockage).

Stable Angina (Angina Pectoris)

Characterized by ischaemic chest pain due to decreased blood supply to the myocardium.
Pain occurs during exertion or stress, not at rest.
Symptoms include chest discomfort, radiating pain to arms, neck, or jaw, and can be accompanied by belching.

Management of Stable Angina

Patient Care: Keep the patient at rest to decrease heart workload.
Pain Relief: Administer analgesics, if needed.
Monitoring: Perform ECG for assessment.

Heart Failure

Defined as an inability of the heart to pump sufficient oxygenated blood to meet the body's needs.
Can manifest as right-sided, left-sided, or congestive heart failure.
Cardiac output calculated as Stroke Volume x Heart Rate, influenced by preload, contractility, and afterload.

Key Terms in Heart Failure

Preload: Blood volume in the heart at diastole end.
Contractility: Strength of heart muscle contraction.
Afterload: Pressure needed to eject blood from the left ventricle.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure

Common indicators include fatigue, dyspnoea (shortness of breath), and congestion.
Patients may experience orthopnea (breathlessness when lying down).

Management of Heart Failure

Ensure patient rest and full set of observations.
Administer oxygen as required to maintain oxygen saturation above 94%.
Perform ECG to evaluate heart function.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Encompasses unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI, resulting from significant coronary artery blockage leading to tissue ischaemia and possible infarction.

Common Symptoms of ACS

Chest pain described as heavy, squeezing, or crushing; radiating pain to arms, jaw, or neck.
Accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, pallor, and feelings of impending doom.

Management of ACS

Swift 12-lead ECG and correction of life-threatening ABC problems.
Administer medications per local guidelines and provide oxygen if necessary.
Ensure rapid transport to an appropriate medical facility.

Sickle Cell Disease

A genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, causing red blood cells to become misshapen ("sickle" shaped) and obstruct blood flow, resulting in ischaemia.
Sickle cells have a significantly reduced lifespan, leading to chronic anemia.

Types of Sickle Cell Conditions

Sickle Cell Trait: One gene present, typically asymptomatic.
Sickle Cell Disease: Both genes present, leading to severe symptoms and complications.
Sickle Cell Crisis: Occurs when sickled cells block blood vessels, causing pain and ischaemia.

Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Crisis

Severe joint pain, difficulty breathing, possible jaundice, fever, and dehydration.
Tactical signs include hypotension, tachycardia, and altered level of consciousness.

Assessment & Management of Sickle Cell Crisis

Perform ABCD assessment and check for individual care plans specific to the patient.

Description

This quiz focuses on the main conditions, signs, symptoms, and management strategies of cardiovascular disorders. Designed for students and healthcare professionals, it provides a comprehensive overview of cardiac conditions to enhance understanding and clinical practices. Test your knowledge and skills in this vital area of health care.