NR 507 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 2 EDAPT: Understanding
Cardiovascular Disorders NEW VERSION UPDATE FALL 2025 Chamberlain
College of Nursing
NR 507 week 2 edapt Cardiovascular Disorders
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease: is caused by atherosclerosis and affects the heart
by obstructing the supply of oxygenated blood, altering myocardial cell
metabolism and nutrient uptake. The progression of plaque build-up in the
arteries causes resistance, lessening the ability for oxygenated blood and
nutrients to flow through, and can lead to myocardial ischemia or infarction.
,Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart with blood to pump
through the circulatory system. Blood flows through the coronary arteries,
where deoxygenated blood arrives on the right side of the heart and travels
to the pulmonary arteries to release carbon dioxide (CO2) and obtain
oxygen.
Oxygenated blood is then carried from the lungs through the pulmonary
veins to the left side of the heart, flowing through the aorta to the body’s
organs.
Pathophysiology of Coronary
Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex chain of events where
atherosclerotic changes (e.g., plaque accumulation) invade the arteries and
damage the endothelial (inner) layer. Under normal functioning, the
endothelium maintains a balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation,
preventing platelets from aggregating and controlling fibrin production.
When the endothelium layer becomes damaged, inflammatory processes will
occur. Macrophages attach, setting up phagocytosis; plaque formation and
vasoconstriction occur, marking the beginning of atherosclerosis. As plaque
accumulates, a thrombus, or clot, can form, which disrupts normal blood
flow. With disease progression, myeloid cells can destabilize the plaque in
the arterial wall and cause its rupture, triggering a myocardial infarction (MI)
or stroke.
,Coronary Artery Disease and Pathway to Acute Coronary
Syndromes
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and the
leading cause of mortality in the United States. When atherosclerosis reaches a
clinically significant level, chronic stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
may occur.
ACS may lead to unstable angina or myocardial infarction (MI), which are medical
emergencies. ACS forms a pathophysiologic continuum, depriving the heart muscle
of oxygen and essential nutrients for cellular uptake and metabolism and interfering
with the heart’s pumping ability.
Atherosclerosis progression: Is a condition in which arteries harden and
become stiff due to buildup of cholesterol within the tunica intima.
, Progression: The space of the artery is taken up by the plaque is measured
as PAV (percent atheroma volume) 20-40% the artery now has
atherosclerosis disease.
Atherosclerotic conditions may affect cardiac performance, including the
following:
preload = stretching of the cardiac muscle cells before contraction
afterload = force against the heart or “load” the heart must pump against
contractility = strength of the heart muscle (independent of preload) to
contract; however, a change in preload will affect the force of the contraction
stroke volume = volume of blood ejected during systole
cardiac output = multiplying the heart rate (beats per minute) times stroke
volume; reported in liters per minute
Under normal conditions, the endothelium balances vasoconstriction and
vasodilation. With plaque accumulation, cellular physiology is disrupted, and
blood flow is restricted.
Increased resistance and nutrient deprivation to myocardial cells
may affect the heart’s ability to maintain adequate stroke volume
and cardiac output is compromised.
Cardiovascular Disorders NEW VERSION UPDATE FALL 2025 Chamberlain
College of Nursing
NR 507 week 2 edapt Cardiovascular Disorders
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease: is caused by atherosclerosis and affects the heart
by obstructing the supply of oxygenated blood, altering myocardial cell
metabolism and nutrient uptake. The progression of plaque build-up in the
arteries causes resistance, lessening the ability for oxygenated blood and
nutrients to flow through, and can lead to myocardial ischemia or infarction.
,Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart with blood to pump
through the circulatory system. Blood flows through the coronary arteries,
where deoxygenated blood arrives on the right side of the heart and travels
to the pulmonary arteries to release carbon dioxide (CO2) and obtain
oxygen.
Oxygenated blood is then carried from the lungs through the pulmonary
veins to the left side of the heart, flowing through the aorta to the body’s
organs.
Pathophysiology of Coronary
Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex chain of events where
atherosclerotic changes (e.g., plaque accumulation) invade the arteries and
damage the endothelial (inner) layer. Under normal functioning, the
endothelium maintains a balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation,
preventing platelets from aggregating and controlling fibrin production.
When the endothelium layer becomes damaged, inflammatory processes will
occur. Macrophages attach, setting up phagocytosis; plaque formation and
vasoconstriction occur, marking the beginning of atherosclerosis. As plaque
accumulates, a thrombus, or clot, can form, which disrupts normal blood
flow. With disease progression, myeloid cells can destabilize the plaque in
the arterial wall and cause its rupture, triggering a myocardial infarction (MI)
or stroke.
,Coronary Artery Disease and Pathway to Acute Coronary
Syndromes
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and the
leading cause of mortality in the United States. When atherosclerosis reaches a
clinically significant level, chronic stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
may occur.
ACS may lead to unstable angina or myocardial infarction (MI), which are medical
emergencies. ACS forms a pathophysiologic continuum, depriving the heart muscle
of oxygen and essential nutrients for cellular uptake and metabolism and interfering
with the heart’s pumping ability.
Atherosclerosis progression: Is a condition in which arteries harden and
become stiff due to buildup of cholesterol within the tunica intima.
, Progression: The space of the artery is taken up by the plaque is measured
as PAV (percent atheroma volume) 20-40% the artery now has
atherosclerosis disease.
Atherosclerotic conditions may affect cardiac performance, including the
following:
preload = stretching of the cardiac muscle cells before contraction
afterload = force against the heart or “load” the heart must pump against
contractility = strength of the heart muscle (independent of preload) to
contract; however, a change in preload will affect the force of the contraction
stroke volume = volume of blood ejected during systole
cardiac output = multiplying the heart rate (beats per minute) times stroke
volume; reported in liters per minute
Under normal conditions, the endothelium balances vasoconstriction and
vasodilation. With plaque accumulation, cellular physiology is disrupted, and
blood flow is restricted.
Increased resistance and nutrient deprivation to myocardial cells
may affect the heart’s ability to maintain adequate stroke volume
and cardiac output is compromised.
