CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS

  • Ischemia: Insufficient blood supply to an organ, especially the heart, causing pain and potential tissue damage.

Angina

  • Chest pain from oxygen deprivation (ischemia) in heart tissues.

Types of Angina

  1. Stable Angina: With exertion/stress, relieved by rest/nitroglycerin; linked to coronary artery disease.

  2. Unstable Angina: At rest, not relieved by rest/nitroglycerin; high MI risk.

  3. Variant Angina: Caused by coronary artery spasm; occurs at rest.

  4. Irreversible Angina (Myocardial Infarction): Imminent heart muscle cell death; requires immediate intervention.

Signs and Symptoms of Angina

  • Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia.

Management of Angina

  • Immediate: Upright position, oxygen, nitroglycerin, morphine.

  • Long-Term: Antihypertensive/cholesterol-lowering medications, lifestyle modifications.

Causes of Myocardial Infarction

  • Atherosclerosis: Cholesterol plaques block coronary arteries. Risk factors include smoking, high BP, sedentary behavior, high-fat diet.

Diagnostic Tests for Ischemic Heart Disease

  1. Troponin Test: Elevated levels (>0.8) indicate myocardial injury.

  2. ECG: Monitors rhythmic abnormalities.

Management Strategies for Myocardial Infarction (MI)

  • Nitroglycerin, aspirin, cardiac monitoring, morphine, oxygen, statins, lifestyle changes.

Hypertension

Definition and Classification

  • Diagnosed when blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mmHg. Risks include silent organ damage.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Often asymptomatic; severe headache and nosebleeds in crisis.

Hypertensive Crisis

  • Blood pressure exceeding 180/120 mmHg, risking organ damage.

Causes of Hypertension

  • Cardiovascular diseases (angina, atherosclerosis), lifestyle (lack of exercise, obesity, high salt/alcohol), smoking, genetics.

Diagnostic Investigations for Hypertension

  • History taking, blood pressure monitoring (ECG), echocardiography.

Management of Hypertension

Lifestyle Modifications

  • DASH diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation.

Pharmacologic Management

  • Antihypertensive Medications (ABCD):

    • ACE inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril).

    • Beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol).

    • Calcium channel blockers.

    • Diuretics (Loop, Thiazide, Potassium-sparing).

Monitoring and Considerations

  • Continuous HR/BP assessment; withhold medication if HR is low (<60 bpm).