NR 507 CARDIOVASCULAR EXAM
2024-2025 LATEST UPDATED
Cardiovascular disorders: ANSWER Cardiovascular problems are common in
primary care. Many of the illnesses develop over time as a result of exposure to risk
factors. Each disease covered in this unit will be discussed in terms of risk factors.
For the ideas presented here, clinical applications of each condition will be
provided so that students appreciate the role of pathophysiology in disease
diagnosis and treatment.
Prerequisite knowledge:
This topic requires a basic understanding of cardiac anatomy, including the
structural and functional distinctions between the right and left sides of the heart.
You should also have a thorough understanding of the unidirectional blood flow via
the heart. For example, deoxygenated blood enters the right side of the heart and
proceeds to the pulmonary arteries to release CO2 and absorb oxygen. At this point,
oxygenated blood travels from the lungs through the pulmonary veins to the left
side of the heart, where it finally enters the aorta and travels to the body's organs.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and calcium) play a crucial role in muscle
contraction, therefore understanding the cellular physiology of cardiac contraction
is also essential. Finally, understanding the principles of preload, afterload, and
contractility is critical, as all of these can be impacted by cardiovascular disease.
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? - ANSWER CAD is regarded as the
greatest cause of death in the United States (US). It is the outcome of long-term
atherosclerosis.
Endothelial damage is the first step in atherosclerosis. Under normal conditions, the
endothelium maintains a balance between vasoconstrictive and vasodilation
ANSWERs, prevents platelet aggregation, and regulates fibrin formation. When the
endothelium is injured, the usual inflammatory processes occur. Macrophages
adhere to the endothelium, initiating phagocytosis; plaque development and
vasoconstriction also occur, indicating the onset of atherosclerosis. The plaque
lesions in the vessels grow, allowing the plaque to move inside the larger vessel
, lumen. The plaque lesion interrupts normal blood flow, resulting in thrombus
formation that can be triggered by cardiac risk factors such as high LDL,
cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes.
So, why is this an issue?
Plaque in the coronary arteries might take decades to build. With mild illness,
blood flow can pass through the arteries and the patient is asymptomatic. Over
time, this buildup might cause constriction, resulting in a diminished oxygen
supply. When atherosclerosis progresses to a clinically relevant level, the patient
develops angina. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), formerly known as myocardial
infarction (MI), develops as the condition progresses.
The primary risk factor for the development of CAD - ANSWER The most
important risk factor for the development of CAD is family history. Individuals
have a 50% increased risk of developing heart disease if they have a first-degree
relative (particularly father) or sibling who has suffered from ACS or early cardiac
death (under 55 years old). Lifestyle also influences risk, particularly tobacco usage
and secondhand smoke exposure. To reduce the patient's chance of developing
CAD, the NP should always emphasize smoking cessation to all tobacco users. A
sedentary lifestyle also increases the chance of acquiring CAD. Physical inactivity
can result in overweight (BMI 25-29.9) or obesity (BMI 30 or higher). Male
gender, hypertension, higher total cholesterol, elevated low-density lipoprotein
(LDL), and/or lowered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are all risk factors, as
is diabetes mellitus.
Myocardial ischemia - answer His chest pain is due to myocardial ischemia.
Ischemia occurs when the heart's oxygen demand outstrips supply. This patient
reported chest pain while exercising. Atherosclerotic plaques narrowed at least one
coronary artery, causing ischemia. As a result, the coronary artery's diameter
narrows. This lowers oxygenated blood flow through the artery, resulting in an
insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. Adenosine is also produced, stimulating
sympathetic nerve fibers, and resulting in atrial and ventricular contraction. In
addition, sympathetic activation occurs in the upper thoracic dorsal roots of the
spinal cord, which causes arm pain.
2024-2025 LATEST UPDATED
Cardiovascular disorders: ANSWER Cardiovascular problems are common in
primary care. Many of the illnesses develop over time as a result of exposure to risk
factors. Each disease covered in this unit will be discussed in terms of risk factors.
For the ideas presented here, clinical applications of each condition will be
provided so that students appreciate the role of pathophysiology in disease
diagnosis and treatment.
Prerequisite knowledge:
This topic requires a basic understanding of cardiac anatomy, including the
structural and functional distinctions between the right and left sides of the heart.
You should also have a thorough understanding of the unidirectional blood flow via
the heart. For example, deoxygenated blood enters the right side of the heart and
proceeds to the pulmonary arteries to release CO2 and absorb oxygen. At this point,
oxygenated blood travels from the lungs through the pulmonary veins to the left
side of the heart, where it finally enters the aorta and travels to the body's organs.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and calcium) play a crucial role in muscle
contraction, therefore understanding the cellular physiology of cardiac contraction
is also essential. Finally, understanding the principles of preload, afterload, and
contractility is critical, as all of these can be impacted by cardiovascular disease.
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? - ANSWER CAD is regarded as the
greatest cause of death in the United States (US). It is the outcome of long-term
atherosclerosis.
Endothelial damage is the first step in atherosclerosis. Under normal conditions, the
endothelium maintains a balance between vasoconstrictive and vasodilation
ANSWERs, prevents platelet aggregation, and regulates fibrin formation. When the
endothelium is injured, the usual inflammatory processes occur. Macrophages
adhere to the endothelium, initiating phagocytosis; plaque development and
vasoconstriction also occur, indicating the onset of atherosclerosis. The plaque
lesions in the vessels grow, allowing the plaque to move inside the larger vessel
, lumen. The plaque lesion interrupts normal blood flow, resulting in thrombus
formation that can be triggered by cardiac risk factors such as high LDL,
cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes.
So, why is this an issue?
Plaque in the coronary arteries might take decades to build. With mild illness,
blood flow can pass through the arteries and the patient is asymptomatic. Over
time, this buildup might cause constriction, resulting in a diminished oxygen
supply. When atherosclerosis progresses to a clinically relevant level, the patient
develops angina. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), formerly known as myocardial
infarction (MI), develops as the condition progresses.
The primary risk factor for the development of CAD - ANSWER The most
important risk factor for the development of CAD is family history. Individuals
have a 50% increased risk of developing heart disease if they have a first-degree
relative (particularly father) or sibling who has suffered from ACS or early cardiac
death (under 55 years old). Lifestyle also influences risk, particularly tobacco usage
and secondhand smoke exposure. To reduce the patient's chance of developing
CAD, the NP should always emphasize smoking cessation to all tobacco users. A
sedentary lifestyle also increases the chance of acquiring CAD. Physical inactivity
can result in overweight (BMI 25-29.9) or obesity (BMI 30 or higher). Male
gender, hypertension, higher total cholesterol, elevated low-density lipoprotein
(LDL), and/or lowered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are all risk factors, as
is diabetes mellitus.
Myocardial ischemia - answer His chest pain is due to myocardial ischemia.
Ischemia occurs when the heart's oxygen demand outstrips supply. This patient
reported chest pain while exercising. Atherosclerotic plaques narrowed at least one
coronary artery, causing ischemia. As a result, the coronary artery's diameter
narrows. This lowers oxygenated blood flow through the artery, resulting in an
insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. Adenosine is also produced, stimulating
sympathetic nerve fibers, and resulting in atrial and ventricular contraction. In
addition, sympathetic activation occurs in the upper thoracic dorsal roots of the
spinal cord, which causes arm pain.
