Human Diseases Cardiovascular/Pulmonary

ischemic

Disease caused by lack of oxygen to the heart.

4 broad categories of ischemic heart disease

Myocardial infarction (MI), Angina pectoris, Cardiac death, Congestive heart failure.

Partial coronary occlusion

Causes angina pectoris (chest pain).

Full coronary occlusion

Causes myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Atherosclerosis

Damage to vessel wall causes plaque buildup (“scabs”), thickening of the wall, and possible clot formation if plaques rupture.

Thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, often from slow blood flow.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Hardening of heart vessels due to atherosclerosis; begins at birth.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Stable angina

Predictable, occurs with exertion, relieved with rest; usually due to partial occlusion.

Unstable angina

Unpredictable, can occur at rest, warning sign of impending MI.

Unremitting angina

Constant pain, usually from a past MI, does not go away.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Heart attack caused by complete coronary blockage.

LAD infarction

MI of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.

MI signs and symptoms

Severe chest pain, pain in arm/jaw/shoulder/back, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dyspnea, cyanosis, elevated CK and troponins, ECG changes (STEMI).

MI treatment

Immediate clot-dissolving drugs, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, balloon angioplasty, bypass surgery, stents, or laser therapies (depends on severity).

Sudden cardiac death (cardiac arrest)

Death within 1 hour of symptoms.

Causes of sudden cardiac death

Ischemia (most common), trauma, structural abnormalities, hypertrophic myopathy.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest

No pulse, no breathing, unconsciousness.

Treatment of cardiac arrest

Chest compressions (CPR).

Long-term complications

Reduced quality of life, cognitive issues, shortened lifespan, anxiety/PTSD, fatigue.

Bradycardia

Resting heart rate < 60 bpm.

Tachycardia

Resting heart rate > 100 bpm.

Atrial flutter

Rapid but organized atrial beating, not passed to ventricles.

Atrial fibrillation

Rapid, disorganized atrial beating.

AV block

Atrial electrical signals fail to pass to ventricles.

Ventricular tachycardia

Rapid, disorganized beats starting in ventricles.

Congestive heart failure

Insufficient blood flow; heart cannot meet body’s demand.

CHF symptoms

Swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, sweating.

CHF treatments

Medications, pacemaker, or mechanical pump; no cure.

Valvular stenosis

Narrowed or stiff valve obstructing blood flow.

Valvular insufficiency

Backflow due to valves not closing properly, often from infection.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of inner lining of the heart (valves).

Myocarditis

Inflammation of heart muscle.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium (outer sac around heart).

Anemia

Too few red blood cells/hemoglobin → decreased oxygen transport.

Common anemia cause

Low iron.

Obstructive lung disease

Barrier to airflow; reduced FEV1 but normal FVC.

Asthma

Obstructive disease; breathlessness, wheezing, cough spasms.

COPD (emphysema)

Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, muscle wasting. Main cause: smoking.

COPD treatment

Bronchodilators, oxygen, pulmonary rehab, surgery/transplant, lifestyle changes (quit smoking).

Restrictive lung disease

Stiff lungs, reduced FEV1 and FVC but normal ratio.

Restrictive lung disease symptoms

Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest pain.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid in alveoli; caused by heart failure, toxic inhalation, or infection.

Pulmonary thromboembolism

Clot travels from veins to pulmonary arteries.

Pulmonary hypertension

High blood pressure in pulmonary circulation; lung transplant is only cure.