Cardiovascular Disease Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes cardiovascular disease?

An ailment that only occurs in the elderly

A single condition affecting only the heart

A group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels (correct)

Only diseases related to high blood pressure

What is a common lifestyle risk factor associated with cardiovascular disease?

Regular dental check-ups

Increased physical activity

High alcohol consumption (correct)

Diet rich in fruits and vegetables

What is the estimated number of people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK?

5 million

12 million

10 million

7.6 million (correct)

Which of the following is a type of cardiovascular disease?

Coronary heart disease Signup and view all the answers

How often does a stroke occur in the UK, based on statistics?

Every 5 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the total annual healthcare cost related to cardiovascular disease in the UK?

£9 billion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT classified as a cardiovascular disease?

Rheumatic fever Signup and view all the answers

Which of these factors is essential for patient management regarding cardiovascular disease?

Understanding the implications of heart conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle factor is a known risk for cardiovascular disease?

Physical inactivity Signup and view all the answers

What is a physiological change that occurs during atherosclerosis?

Narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a complication of atherosclerosis?

Thrombosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of myocardial infarction?

Tissue death of the myocardium Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is commonly used to relieve angina pectoris?

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of angina pectoris?

Severe chest pain due to narrowing of coronary arteries Signup and view all the answers

Which risk factor is specifically associated with high blood cholesterol?

Low dietary fiber Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of ischaemia?

Tissue death Signup and view all the answers

How does smoking contribute to atherosclerosis?

By promoting circulation of reactive oxygen radicals Signup and view all the answers

What causes plaque buildup in arteries during atherosclerosis?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of patients may experience silent myocardial infarctions with no pain?

10-20% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of myocardial infarction?

Chest tightness Signup and view all the answers

What is the immediate management step for a patient with suspected myocardial infarction?

Call emergency services Signup and view all the answers

What condition can develop shortly after the onset of chest pain in a myocardial infarction?

Cardiac arrest Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a long-term complication of myocardial infarction?

Dressler’s syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What immediate action should be taken if a patient presents with myocardial infarction and shows signs of hypoxia?

Provide oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of cardiac arrest?

Electrical malfunction of the heart Signup and view all the answers

How does CPR assist a patient experiencing cardiac arrest?

Provides circulatory support Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential psychological effect on survivors of cardiac arrest?

Personality changes Signup and view all the answers

Which medication should be chewed during immediate management of a myocardial infarction, unless the patient has an allergy?

Dispersible aspirin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Overview

CVD is a group of heart and blood vessel disorders.
Affects 7.6 million people in the UK, resulting in 450 daily deaths, 100,000 annual hospital admissions for heart attacks, and a stroke every 5 minutes. Annual healthcare costs total £9 billion.

Types of CVD

Coronary heart disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Valvular heart disease
Congenital heart disease

CVD Risk Factors: Lifestyle

Unhealthy diet (high salt)
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Smoking
Alcohol consumption

CVD Risk Factors: Other

Hypertension
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Family history

Atherosclerosis

The underlying cause of most CVD.
Arterial narrowing due to plaque (atheroma) buildup, restricting oxygen-rich blood flow.
Initiated by endothelial damage triggering chronic inflammation.

Stages of Atherosclerosis

Endothelial injury/dysfunction
Fatty streak formation (lipid accumulation)
Inflammatory response (white blood cell recruitment, foam cell formation)
Plaque progression (smooth muscle cell migration, connective tissue increase, calcification, platelet adhesion, fibrous cap formation)
Plaque disruption

Atherosclerosis Risk Factors

Physical stress on arteries (e.g., branching points)
Smoking/air pollution (reactive oxygen radicals)
Dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol, high LDLs, low HDLs)
Chronically elevated blood glucose

Atherosclerosis Complications

Thrombosis (complete artery blockage)
Infarction (tissue death due to impaired blood flow)
Embolism (travels to coronary or brain arteries)
Ischemic heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), aneurysm, peripheral vascular disease

Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)

Restricted blood supply to tissues.
Caused by atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Leads to angina pectoris and myocardial infarction.
Infarction can cause circulatory failure, cerebral blood supply loss, and death.
Risk factors include age, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension.

Hyperlipidemia

High blood cholesterol, potentially familial.
Associated with age, gender, inactivity, overweight, low dietary fiber, smoking, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other diseases.
Management aims to lower LDL and raise HDL levels through lifestyle changes and potentially statins.

Angina Pectoris

Severe chest pain from narrowed coronary arteries.
Associated with increased myocardial lactic acid.
Squeezing/crushing substernal pain (radiating to left arm/jaw).
Can be stable or unstable.

Angina Pectoris Management

Relieved by rest or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN).
GTN stimulates vasodilation; pain resolves within 2-3 minutes.
Other medications may be needed (aspirin, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins).
Angioplasty, stents, or coronary artery bypass graft may be required.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Heart attack or coronary thrombosis.
Sudden injury from coronary artery blockage (vulnerable atheroma plaque rupture).
Ischemia leads to myocardial necrosis.

MI Clinical Presentation

Severe central crushing pain radiating to left arm/jaw.
May start at rest and persist.
Restlessness, pallor, sweating, nausea, vomiting, confusion, apprehension.
Silent infarctions (10-20% of patients).
Atypical symptoms in women.
Death possible from ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

MI Management

Immediate hospital admission.
Comfortable positioning.
GTN spray (if known angina).
Chewable aspirin 300mg (unless allergic).
Oxygen (if hypoxemic).
Monitor; CPR/AED preparation.
Thrombolytic therapy, analgesics, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, sedatives, bed rest, surgery as needed.

MI Complications

Acute: cardiac dysrhythmias, cardiac failure, pericarditis.
Later: angina, thromboembolism, aneurysm, cardiac rupture.
Long-term: post-MI syndrome (Dressler's syndrome), shoulder-hand syndrome, psychological problems, depression.

Cardiac Arrest

Abrupt loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness.
Heart stops beating, preventing oxygenated blood flow to vital organs.
May follow MI but has other causes.

Cardiac Arrest Consequences

Serious/catastrophic event.
Cerebral hypoxia, respiratory arrest, brain injury.
Survivors may experience personality changes, memory/speech impairment, involuntary movements, incontinence.

Cardiac Arrest Management

Time-sensitive; earlier intervention improves outcomes.
"Chain of survival": CPR for circulatory support; AED if shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia).

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Description

Explore the key aspects of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including its types, risk factors, and the underlying condition of atherosclerosis. This quiz provides vital information about the prevalence of CVD and its impact on healthcare. Understand how lifestyle choices and other factors contribute to heart and blood vessel disorders.