Cardiovascular disease (CAD): impaired cardiac function and
perfusion.
Atherosclerosis: lipid deposits within the intima of an
artery begin to harden with age causing reduced blood flow
(“hardening of the arteries”). Major cause of CAD.
Heart disease diet:
o Consume low fat / low cholesterol. AVOID saturated
and trans fats
o Consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol
o Increase fiber and complex carbs
o Increase omega 3-fatty acids (fish, nuts, seeds,
plants/oils)
o Lower homocysteine levels
o Decrease whole milk, egg yolks, and red meats (EAT
more LEAN meats like chicken & turkey)
o Use liquid oils, avoid frying foods
Angina: (ischemia) chest pain caused by an increased demand
in oxygen or decreased supply of oxygen (No infarct). TYPES:
Stable angina = demand ischemia /NO infarct. occurs
with exercise, relived by rest (or nitroglycerin). Troponin is
normal in angina because its only ischemia (no tissue
death)
Unstable angina = supply ischemia /NO infarct. occurs
with exercise or at rest. Increases in duration, occurrence,
or severity over time. Troponin is normal in angina
because its only ischemia (no tissue death)
, Angina VS MI:
pain unrelieved by rest or nitroglycerin and lasts more than
30 min is indictive of MI vs angina.
MIs’ often have other symptoms such as: Nausea,
epigastric discomfort, diaphoresis, dyspnea.
MI = heart attack = infarct = necrosis
NSTEMI = partial occlusion infract (necrosis). With
inverted T waves with ST depression.
o Goal: go to cardiac cath lab within 72 HOURS. No
thrombolytic agents needed.
STEMI = complete occlusion infarct (necrosis). Inverted
T waves with ST elevation
o Goal: artery reopened within 90 min.
***Emergency***
o TX:
Percutaneous coronary artery intervention
(PCI): procedure to open coronary arteries.
Performed within 90 minutes of onset of MI
symptoms. 3 types:
Atherectomy – removal of plaque in vessel
Placement of stents
PTCA – inflating a balloon to widen the
arterial lumen