Circulatory Diseases and Treatment

Arrythmia or Dysrhythmia Any change from normal heart rate or rhythm BRADYCARDIA – slow heart rate (<60 bpm) TACHYCARDIA – rapid heart rate (>100 bpm)

Blood Pressure Surge of blood when heart pumps create pressure against the wall of the arteries. Systolic Pressure measured during the contraction phase Average Systolic = 120 mm Hg Range mm hg Diastolic Pressure measured when the ventricles are relaxed Average Diastolic = 80 mm Hg Range mm hg

Sphygmomanometer (Instrument to measure BP)

Hypertension High blood pressure “Silent Killer” – often no symptoms Can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure 140/90 mm Hg or higher African-Americans and post- menopausal women are at higher risk

Hypertension Risk factors: Smoking Overweight Stress High fat diets Family history

Hypertension Treatment: Relaxation Low fat diet Exercise Weight loss Medication

Hypotension Low blood pressure Systolic < 100 Symptoms include fainting due to lack of blood flow to the brain Is a symptom of shock and heart block

Angina Pectoris Chest pain, caused by lack of oxygen to heart muscle Often a warning before a heart attack Treat with nitroglycerin to dilate coronary arteries – give this medicine sublingual

Causes of MI Blockage of coronary artery Blood Clot Atherosclerosis- fatty plaque build-up on arterial walls Arteriosclerosis-loss of elasticity and thickening of wall of arteries

Myocardial Infarction (MI) MI or heart attack Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes damage Amount of damage depends on size of area deprived of oxygen.

Myocardial Infarction (MI) Symptoms: Severe chest pain radiating to left shoulder, arm, neck, & jaw Nausea Diaphoresis (sweating) Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)

Myocardial Infarction (MI) Immediate medical care is critical Rx – bed rest, oxygen, medication Morphine for pain TPA to dissolve a clot Anticoagulant therapy to prevent further clots Angioplasty and by-pass surgery may be necessary

Angioplasty Procedure to help open clogged vessels (from arteriosclerosis) May also be called “balloon surgery” Catheter is inserted into a partially blocked artery and inflated. Plaque is pushed outward and the artery widens to allow increased blood flow.

Coronary Artery Bypass Usually, a healthy vein from the leg is removed and attached before and after the coronary obstruction, creating an alternate route for blood supply to the myocardium

Heart Failure Ventricles unable to contract effectively and blood pools in the heart. Right sided heart failure – engorgement of organs with venous blood occurs as well as edema and ascites (abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity,)

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Heart Failure Left ventricle unable to contract effectively. Symptoms include: Edema in lower extremities Blood backs up into the lung vessels, and fluid extends into air passages (pulmonary edema) Dypsnea (difficulty breathing) occurs Lung congestion and coughing

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Treatment consists of drugs to strengthen heart beats (digoxin) and diuretics to reduce fluid. If in danger of death due to heart failure – may need a heart transplant or implant

Heart Transplant Done for irreparably damaged myocardium, valves or blood vessels, or baby/child with congenital heart defect Problem? compatibility Rx: Immunosuppressants Large heart on right is the worn out one. Heart on left is the new heart!

Artificial Heart First used in 1982, it was called the Jarvik-7. Barney Clark was first artificial heart transplant patient and he lived for 112 days. Use of an artificial heart is meant to be temporary until donor heart can be found.

Pacemakers Most are demand pacemakers which fire only when heart rates drops below programmed minimum (usually 60 beats per min.) Used for patients in heart block – have an interruption of message from SA to AV node

Implantable Defibrillator FDA approved use of these in Through an electrode the computer in the defibrillator monitors the heartbeat. If it detects an arrhythmia an the pacemaker cannot correct, it delivers an electrical jolt to the heart.

Other Cardiac Terms CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation, used in the presence of cardiac arrest DEFIBRILLATION – electrical shock to bring the heart back to a normal rhythm. AED – automated external defibrillator

Aneurysm Ballooning of an artery, thinning and weakening of the artery wall

Embolism Traveling blood clot

Varicose Veins Painful, swollen, distended veins Caused by heredity or due to posture, prolonged periods of standing, physical exertion, age and pregnancy

The End