Law of Laplace - answerGoverns wall tension in all vessels. T = (P x r) / h
High pressure (P), relatively large radium (r) of arteries increases wall tension, counteracted
by their greater wall thickness (h)
Atherosclerosis - answerPrimary large vessel disorder. Medium sized vessels can also be
affected. Chronic inflammatory d/o of vascular wall, buildup of plaque within the walls.
Common cause of disease and death worldwide (MI, stroke, PAD). Most common sites=
abdominal aorta, coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, femoral and popliteal arteries, carotid
arteries, vertebral arteries.
Arteriosclerosis - answerIncreased arterial stiffness. One of the main vascular changes in
older adults. Related to inflammaging. Vascular wall replacement of elastin with collagen.
Stiffening of arteries increases systolic BP.
Pulse Pressure - answerSystolic pressure - diastolic pressure. Increases slightly in large
arteries, then decreases in small arteries. Greatest drop happens at the arterioles since they
represent the greatest amount of resistance in the systemic circulation.
STEMI - answerSxs, ST elevation, troponin levels increase.
EKG shows region of cell damage is transmural.
NSTEMI - answerSxs, no ST elevation, troponin levels increase.
EKG shows region of cell damage is subendocardial.
Unstable angina - answerNo sxs, no ST elevation, no elevations of blood markers. Not
relieved by resting.
Stable angina - answerOften exertional, relieved by resting
Variant/Prinzmetal angina - answerBegins during rest, no obvious cause. Result of
vasospasm rather than chronic atheosclerotic narrowing of vessels. Not made worse by
exercise. Usually happens in middle of night. Resolves w/o tx.
HFrEF - answerHeart failure with reduced ejection fraction (< 40%). Systolic
pressure/volume curve shifts down (depressed Starling curve). Fluid retention promotes
ventricular filling, stretches ventricle, restores SV but at expense of greater filling volume
and pressure. Ultimately produces ventricular dilation and further weakens pump function.
HFpEF - answerHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (>/= 50%). Diastolic
pressure/volume curve shifts up (wall stiffness increases pressure at any filling volume). Stiff
ventricle resists filling; accommodates a smaller end-diastolic volume. Ejection fraction is
maintained, but SV is below normal d/t limited filling.
Angina - answerChest pain, pressure, or tight sensation. May radiate to jaw, shoulder, arm,
or back. May be precipitated by physical activity or psychological stress. Sometimes
alleviated by resting. Women are more likely to have nonactivity-related episodes, sensation
of dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain. Types include stable, unstable, and
variant/prinzmetal.
Long QT Syndrome - answerEKG with prolonged QT duration. Arises from genetic mutations
affecting fast sodium channel or delayed potassium channel. Many subtypes of varying
degrees of vulnerability to sudden death. Can precipitate the torsades de pointes form of
ventricular tachycardia. Contraindication to certain meds. Most common types= LQTS1, 2, 3.
High pressure (P), relatively large radium (r) of arteries increases wall tension, counteracted
by their greater wall thickness (h)
Atherosclerosis - answerPrimary large vessel disorder. Medium sized vessels can also be
affected. Chronic inflammatory d/o of vascular wall, buildup of plaque within the walls.
Common cause of disease and death worldwide (MI, stroke, PAD). Most common sites=
abdominal aorta, coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, femoral and popliteal arteries, carotid
arteries, vertebral arteries.
Arteriosclerosis - answerIncreased arterial stiffness. One of the main vascular changes in
older adults. Related to inflammaging. Vascular wall replacement of elastin with collagen.
Stiffening of arteries increases systolic BP.
Pulse Pressure - answerSystolic pressure - diastolic pressure. Increases slightly in large
arteries, then decreases in small arteries. Greatest drop happens at the arterioles since they
represent the greatest amount of resistance in the systemic circulation.
STEMI - answerSxs, ST elevation, troponin levels increase.
EKG shows region of cell damage is transmural.
NSTEMI - answerSxs, no ST elevation, troponin levels increase.
EKG shows region of cell damage is subendocardial.
Unstable angina - answerNo sxs, no ST elevation, no elevations of blood markers. Not
relieved by resting.
Stable angina - answerOften exertional, relieved by resting
Variant/Prinzmetal angina - answerBegins during rest, no obvious cause. Result of
vasospasm rather than chronic atheosclerotic narrowing of vessels. Not made worse by
exercise. Usually happens in middle of night. Resolves w/o tx.
HFrEF - answerHeart failure with reduced ejection fraction (< 40%). Systolic
pressure/volume curve shifts down (depressed Starling curve). Fluid retention promotes
ventricular filling, stretches ventricle, restores SV but at expense of greater filling volume
and pressure. Ultimately produces ventricular dilation and further weakens pump function.
HFpEF - answerHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (>/= 50%). Diastolic
pressure/volume curve shifts up (wall stiffness increases pressure at any filling volume). Stiff
ventricle resists filling; accommodates a smaller end-diastolic volume. Ejection fraction is
maintained, but SV is below normal d/t limited filling.
Angina - answerChest pain, pressure, or tight sensation. May radiate to jaw, shoulder, arm,
or back. May be precipitated by physical activity or psychological stress. Sometimes
alleviated by resting. Women are more likely to have nonactivity-related episodes, sensation
of dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal or back pain. Types include stable, unstable, and
variant/prinzmetal.
Long QT Syndrome - answerEKG with prolonged QT duration. Arises from genetic mutations
affecting fast sodium channel or delayed potassium channel. Many subtypes of varying
degrees of vulnerability to sudden death. Can precipitate the torsades de pointes form of
ventricular tachycardia. Contraindication to certain meds. Most common types= LQTS1, 2, 3.
