chapter 16- ischemic heart disease and conduction disorders

What are the coronary arteries and why are they important

The right and left coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. they perfuse during diastole, and blockage here can cause ischemia

How do arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis lead to ischemic heart disease (IHD)

Arteriosclerosis- causes stiffening and thickening of arterial walls

Atherosclerosis- a form of arteriosclerosis, involves plaque build-up that narrows coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the myocardium

What happens during ischemic heart disease

The myocardium (heart muscle) is deprived of oxygen due to reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries, leading to angina or myocardial infaraction

What risk factors for cardiovascular disease are modifiable and nonmodifiable

Modifiable: obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, smoking, diabetes, hypertension

Nonmodifiable: age, gender, race/ethnicity, family history

What is angina pectoris and what causes it

Angina pectoris is squeezing chest pain from temporary myocardial ischemia (low oxygen). it can radiate to the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or arms

What are other common symptoms of angina

Dyspnea (shortness of breath), diaphoresis (sweating), pallor, and weakness

What characterizes stable angina

Predictable chest pain that occurs with activity or stress and resolves with rest or medication (e.g., nitroglycerin)

What characterizes unstable angina?

Sudden, more severe chest pain that changes from usual patterns, does not improve with rest or medication, and is a medical emergency

What causes myocardial infarction (MI)

A complete occlusion of a coronary artery, causing irreversible myocardial damage and tissue death

What are classic signs and symptoms of MI

Crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the shoulder, arm, jaw, or back, dyspnea, diaphoresis, pallor, and elevated cardiac biomarkers (like troponin)

What electrical changes might be seen on an ECG during MI

ST-segment elevation, T-wave inversion, or Q-wave formation depending on the infarct type

What are possible complications of an MI

• Dysrhythmias (abnormal rhythms)

• Papillary muscle rupture (causing valve dysfunction)

• Thromboembolism

• Ventricular aneurysm

• Pericarditis

• Heart failure

• Cardiogenic shock

What is infective endocarditis

A bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardium that damages heart valves and increases risk for emboli. The structure most affected in infective endocarditis are cardiac valves

What is pericarditis and what are its effects

Inflammation of the pericardium that may cause pericardial effusion, restricted heart wall motion, and possibly cardiac tamponade (compression of the heart)