Cardi: Compensatory Mechanisms

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

“pressing emergency button”

• everything is faster

• initially helps but then heart is exhausted

HF SNS Signs

Tachycardia, Increased HR, increase workload

HF SNS med

beta blocker (lol) slowing down response

RAAS

• released by kidney

• “kidney is a sponge keeping salt/water=decreased urination, decreased NA)

• backup of fluids causing swelling

RASS HF Signs

• edema

• pulmonary congestion

• crackles

• JVD

• weight gain

RASS HF Meds

1. Ace inhibitors (pril) stop RAAS

2. Diuretics (Furosemide) increase urination

Ventricular Remodeling

heart working harder to change shape and stretch out causing pump to be less affective

Ventricular Remodeling can lead to

arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death

Dilation

Enlargement of heart chambers to hold more blood

inferior smaller causing contractions to be weaker

Hypertrophy of HF

Muscles becoming thicker leading to stiffening and poor filling of ventricle

BNP of HF

• released when heart has too much fluids

• BNP=bye bye NA+water

What value indicated worsened HF

higher BNP = worsen HF

Nitric Oxide of HF

helps vessels relax allowing easier blood flow