NURS 307 Heart Abnormalities

Dextrocardia

Heart positioned abnormally to the right side; refers exclusively to the position of the heart

Situs inversus

Abnormal inversion of organs; refers to the position of all internal organs (general term, organs only)

Bacterial endocarditis

Bacterial infection of the endothelial layer of the heart and valves; IV drug users at higher risk

Congestive heart failure

The heart fails to propel blood forward with its usual force, resulting in congestion in the pulmonary or systemic circulation

Left heart failure

From uncontrolled HTN; left ventricle is stretched thin; releases BNP (increased BNP = heart failure); PMI moves to axillary; cardiomegaly leads to cardiomyopathy (enlarged muscle stops working); associated with PND and orthopnea

Right heart failure

From COPD; symptoms include barrel chest, JVD, peripheral edema, pursed-lip breathing

Cardiac tamponade

Excessive accumulation of effused fluids or blood between the pericardium, leading to compression and dysfunction of the heart chambers

Pericarditis

Sudden inflammation of the pericardium; used to happen with diphtheria

Cor pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure; enlargement of the right ventricle secondary to pulmonary malfunction (pulmonary HTN from decreased number of alveoli)

Myocardial infarction

Ischemic myocardial necrosis caused by an abrupt decrease in coronary blood flow to the myocardium

Myocarditis

Focal or diffuse inflammation of the myocardium

Atherosclerotic heart disease

Caused by deposition of cholesterol and other lipids, leading to plaque and an inflammatory response

Arteriosclerosis

Thickening of the arterial wall due to atherosclerosis; creates resistance and leads to HTN

Mitral insufficiency

Abnormal leaking of blood through the mitral valve, from left ventricle to left atrium

Angina

Pain of the heart muscle caused by myocardial ischemia

Aortic sclerosis

Thickening and calcification of aortic valves; affects people born with 2 cusps