Comprehensive Guide to Cardiac & Vascular Disorders (MED101): MI, PVD, Heart Failure, Dysrhythmias & More – Nursing Study Guide 2026/27

Master cardiac and vascular disorders in one comprehensive, exam-ready guide — from MI and PVD to heart failure and dysrhythmias. This in-depth study guide (MED101) covers every major cardiac and vascular disorder you'll encounter in nursing school and on certification exams. Written in clear, organized sections with pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostics, and management for each condition — it's the only cardiac-vascular guide you need. What's Inside: Myocardial Infarction (MI) Pathophysiology: coronary thrombosis, ischemia, necrosis, inflammatory response Cardiac markers: troponin I/T, myoglobin, CK-MB, LDH — timelines and sensitivity ECG changes: ST elevation, T-wave inversion, Q waves — localization and extent Symptoms: crushing chest pain, radiation, diaphoresis, nausea, left-sided HF signs Complications: dysrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, ventricular rupture, aneurysm, embolism, pericarditis, mitral regurgitation, heart failure Management: thrombolytics (2-hour window), PCI (1–2 hours), CABG, antiarrhythmics, oxygen, CCU monitoring Post-MI rehab: activity progression, heart-healthy diet, medication adherence, psychosocial support Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Causes: atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, vasoconstriction, thrombosis Risk factors: smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, family history, sedentary lifestyle Peripheral arterial disease symptoms: intermittent claudication, coldness, pallor, rubor on dependency, skin changes, weak pulses, cyanosis Treatment: vasodilators, anticoagulants, exercise, lifestyle modification, bypass grafts, endarterectomy, amputation Raynaud's Disease & Buerger's Disease Raynaud's: episodic vasospasm, triggers, pallor/cyanosis/numbness, management with vasodilators, cold avoidance, sympathectomy Buerger's: inflammatory occlusive disease in smokers, symptoms, critical tobacco cessation, vasodilators, amputation if necrotic Aneurysm Definition, risk factors (hypertension, arteriosclerosis, trauma, congenital weakness) Signs: pulsatile mass, bruit, compression symptoms, rupture → hemorrhage/shock Diagnosis: X-ray, aortography Treatment: BP control, surgical repair, endovascular stenting, emergency surgery Heart Failure Pathophysiology: inability to pump sufficient blood, congestion + hypoperfusion Types: left-sided (pulmonary congestion), right-sided (systemic congestion), systolic, diastolic Causes: MI, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, valvular disease, cor pulmonale Signs: fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea, PND, crackles, tachycardia, edema, elevated BNP Diagnosis: BNP, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, ABGs Management: rest, low-sodium diet, fluid restriction, digoxin, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, IABP, VAD, transplant Pulmonary Edema Mechanism: left ventricular failure → alveolar fluid accumulation Symptoms: dyspnea, wheezing, orthopnea, frothy sputum, cyanosis, tachycardia Treatment: inotropes, diuretics, vasodilators, oxygen, upright positioning Hypertension Definition: sustained BP 140/90 mmHg — "silent killer" Types: essential (95%), secondary Risk factors: age, race, family history, obesity, sodium, alcohol, smoking, stress Diagnosis: multiple readings, home monitoring, ECG, labs (BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides) Management: lifestyle modification, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers Accelerated vs. malignant hypertension: retinal hemorrhages, papilledema, renal failure, stroke risk — IV antihypertensives Varicose Veins Etiology: valve incompetence, venous hypertension Symptoms: heavy/tired legs, visible swellings, skin changes, ulcerations Treatment: support stockings, sclerotherapy, vein ligation/stripping, wound care Thrombophlebitis & Phlebothrombosis Thrombophlebitis: inflammation + clot (superficial) Phlebothrombosis: clot without inflammation (deep — DVT) Signs: swelling, warmth, redness, tenderness, positive Homan's sign Management: rest, elevation, warm compresses, anticoagulants, thrombectomy, vena cava filters Lymphedema Causes: lymphatic obstruction after surgery, radiation, infection Symptoms: persistent swelling, skin tightness, thickening, ulcer risk Management: elevation, compression, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, surgery Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Pathophysiology: thrombus dislodges → pulmonary artery occlusion Symptoms: sudden chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, hemoptysis, cyanosis Treatment: anticoagulation (heparin, warfarin), thrombolytics, oxygen, embolectomy, vena cava filters Cardiac Dysrhythmias Bradycardia, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter Heart blocks: first-degree, second-degree (Wenckebach, Mobitz II), third-degree Ventricular arrhythmias: PVCs, VT, VF, asystole Treatments: medications, defibrillation, cardioversion, pacemakers, ICDs Pacemaker Function & Patient Care Temporary vs. permanent, demand vs. fixed-rate Patient education: ID cards, daily pulse monitoring, symptom reporting, device evaluations Cardiac Arrest & CPR Step-by-step: responsiveness, airway, breathing, pulse, 30:2 compressions, AED, continue until help arrives CABG & Cardiac Surgery Care Graft vessels: saphenous vein, internal mammary artery Preoperative: education, organ function, consent