Cardiovascular Disease Overview

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

• CVD is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, also known as heart disease.

Heart Anatomy

• The heart has four valves: tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic.
• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava, pumps it to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.
• The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs (through the pulmonary valve) for oxygenation.
• The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, pumps it to the left ventricle through the mitral valve.
• The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood through the aortic valve to the aorta and the rest of the body.
• Coronary arteries supply oxygen to the heart muscle.
• Nerve tissue controls heart contractions and relaxations.
• The pericardium is a sac surrounding the heart and its major blood vessels.

Types of Heart Disease

• Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Blocked or reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, causing various issues like:
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Heart attack (sudden blockage of blood flow)
  • Heart failure (inability to pump blood effectively)

Diagnosis

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Measures heart rhythm (speed and regularity).
• Chest X-ray: Shows heart and lung condition.
• Blood tests: Detect cardiac enzymes (proteins released following heart damage).
• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to create images of the heart's movement and blood flow. Can be used during a stress test.
• CT or MRI: Detailed images of the heart and surrounding structures.

Treatment

• Nitrates: Relax and widen blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart.
• Aspirin: Reduces blood clotting.
• Anti-clotting drugs: (e.g., Plavix, Effient, Brilinta) prevent blood clots.
• Beta-blockers: Slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure.

Stroke

• A stroke occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted.
• A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is temporary disruption of blood flow.
• Ischemic strokes (87%): Caused by blocked arteries.
• Hemorrhagic strokes (13%): Caused by bleeding in the brain.

Stroke Diagnosis

• Physical exam: Checks blood pressure, neurological function.
• Blood tests: Assess blood clotting.
• CT scan: Detects bleeding, ischemic strokes, tumors.
• MRI: Detects brain tissue damage from ischemic strokes and hemorrhages.
• Cerebral angiogram: A detailed view of brain and neck arteries using a catheter and dye.

Stroke Treatment

• Ischemic stroke treatment: Aims to restore blood flow quickly.
  • Emergency IV medicine: (like TPA) breaks up clots within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. Treatment time is critical.