30 Questions
Which racial/ethnic group has the highest prevalence of heart failure (HF) in the United States?
African Americans
What is a risk factor for developing HF in adults over 60 years of age?
Being male
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for HF?
High cholesterol levels
What is the primary cause of HF in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)?
Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries
What is the compensatory mechanism that initially increases contractility in response to systemic or pulmonary hypertension?
Hypertrophy of myocardial muscle fibers
Which type of cardiomyopathy commonly leads to progressive HF?
Dilated cardiomyopathy
What is the cause of HF in valvular heart disease?
Valvular dysfunction
What percentage of patients with chronic HF also have chronic kidney disease?
30%
What effect does cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation have on myocardial contraction?
Decreases overall efficiency of myocardial function
What is the primary goal of treatment for HF?
Correcting neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms
Which of the following best describes heart failure (HF)?
A condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's metabolic demands
What are the two types of heart failure?
Systolic and diastolic
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of heart failure episodes?
Improved perfusion
How many new cases of heart failure are diagnosed each year in the United States?
870,000
What is the most common reason for hospitalization of people older than 65 years?
Heart failure
What percentage of patients discharged after treatment for heart failure are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days?
Nearly 50%
What is the second most common reason for visits to a provider's office?
Heart failure
What is heart failure often managed with?
Lifestyle changes and medications
What is heart failure considered to be in terms of its impact on health care resources?
An epidemic
What is heart failure associated with in terms of hospitalizations and health care costs?
Increased hospitalizations and increased health care costs
Which type of heart failure is characterized by decreased blood flow from the ventricle?
Systolic heart failure
What is the purpose of the initial sympathetic response in systolic heart failure?
To increase heart rate and contractility
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation in systolic heart failure?
Vasoconstriction in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys
What is the role of renin in systolic heart failure?
Renin converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
What effect does angiotensin II have in systolic heart failure?
Vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure
What is the role of aldosterone in systolic heart failure?
Aldosterone promotes sodium and fluid retention
What is the purpose of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in systolic heart failure?
ANP and BNP promote vasodilation and diuresis
What happens to the contractility of myocardial muscle fibers in systolic heart failure?
Decreases
What is ventricular remodeling in systolic heart failure?
Abnormal changes in the structure and function of myocardial cells
What is diastolic heart failure also known as?
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
Study Notes
Overview of Heart Failure
- Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional cardiac disorders that impair the heart's ability to pump enough blood to meet the body's metabolic demands.
- HF is a chronic, progressive condition managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
- Approximately six million people in the United States have HF, with 870,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
- HF is the most common reason for hospitalization of people older than 65 years and the second most common reason for visits to a provider's office.
- Over 20% of patients discharged after treatment for HF are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, and nearly 50% are readmitted within 6 months.
- The estimated economic burden of HF in the United States is over $30 billion annually.
- HF is more prevalent among African Americans and Hispanics than among Caucasians, and the risk increases with advancing age.
- Risk factors for HF include cigarette smoking, obesity, poorly managed diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- Common causes of HF include coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, valvular disorders, and renal dysfunction.
- Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a primary cause of HF, and myocardial infarction can lead to HF.
- Systemic or pulmonary hypertension increases afterload, leading to hypertrophy of myocardial muscle fibers and eventually HF.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and cardiac arrhythmias can also cause or contribute to HF.
Test your knowledge on heart failure with this quiz. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this clinical syndrome. Challenge yourself and improve your understanding of heart health.
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