Cardiology pt 1&2

Angina

Chest pain.

Irregular rhythm

Uneven or inconsistent heartbeat pattern.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening of the arteries caused by plaque buildup (often from smoking).

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

Tachycardia

Fast heart rate.

Cardiomegaly

Enlarged heart ("mega" = large).

Cardiomyopathy

Disease of the heart muscle.

Dysrhythmia

Irregular or difficult heart rhythm.

Dextrocardia

Heart positioned on the opposite side of the chest.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Heart attack; caused by blockage leading to tissue death.

Necrosis

Death of tissue (muscle death after a heart attack).

EKG/ECG

Recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

Atria

Top chambers of the heart (right and left).

Ventricles

Bottom chambers of the heart (right and left).

Valves

Keep blood flowing in one direction.

Arteries

Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Veins

Carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Basic Blood Flow (Order)

Inferior and superior vena cava, Right atrium, Right ventricle, Pulmonary artery (blood goes to lungs to pick up oxygen), Pulmonary vein (brings oxygenated blood back), Left atrium, Left ventricle, Aorta (sends oxygenated blood to the body)

Heart conduction

Regulates the pumping of the heart.

Depolarization

Potassium moves out, sodium moves in → heart contracts.

Repolarization

Potassium moves in, sodium moves out → heart relaxes/recovery state.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

"Pacemaker" of the heart; causes atria to contract.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Causes ventricles to depolarize and contract.

P wave

Atrial depolarization (contraction).

QRS complex

Ventricular depolarization (contraction).

T wave

Ventricular repolarization (recovery).

Standard EKG speed

25 mm/sec.

R-R method

Count number of QRS peaks in 6 seconds × 10 (least accurate).

300 method

Count big boxes between QRS peaks ÷ 300.

1500 method

Count small boxes between QRS peaks ÷ 1500 (most accurate).

Position for EKG

Supine (lying flat).

Electrode placement

Anterior thoracic (chest).

If patient has tremor

Use a warm blanket to reduce shaking.

If patient has dyspnea (difficulty breathing)

Use Fowler's position (semi-upright).

3-lead monitor

Monitors 2 heart views (white, black, red).

5-lead monitor

Monitors anterior heart; adds green and brown.

12-lead EKG

Diagnostic; 10 electrodes placed on chest and limbs.

Right side

White over green ("clouds over grass").

Left side

Black over red ("smoke over fire").

Brown

Chest (center electrode).

V1

4th intercostal space, right side of sternum.

V2

4th intercostal space, left side of sternum.

V4

5th intercostal space, midclavicular line.

V6

5th intercostal space, midaxillary line (under the arm).

V3

Between V2 and V4.

V5

Between V4 and V6.

Holter monitor

Records heart activity for 24 hours to 30 days; press "event" button if symptoms occur.

Stress test

Monitors heart while under physical stress (exercise).

Report these symptoms during stress test

Chest pain (angina), Radiating pain down arm, Arrhythmia/dysrhythmia, Diaphoresis (sweating heavily).