Pick 2 of the many "Causes of Cardiac Conditions"
and explain the differences between them.
What are some of the signs and symptoms that you may see when caring for
these type of patients? Also respond to 2 other students posts.
Two of the many Causes of Cardiac Conditions include
Coronary Artery Disease and Aneurysm. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) occurs when
the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, blood flow is reduced, thereby
reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart. CAD can be hereditary and
age can influence the risk of developing CAD. Other risk factors include:
hypertension, obesity, lack of exercise, elevated blood levels of cholesterol
and triglycerides, and cigarette smoking. Obviously, maintaining a heathy diet
and activity level is likely to lower the chances of falling victim to this
disease. Physical activity and stress can instigate this condition by
increasing the heart rate as well as the demand for oxygen. Causes for this
disease include fatty deposits (plaque which then somewhat solidifies due to
calcium) on the inner walls of arteries which then limits the volume of the
coronary arteries; compromising the ability to supply oxygen to the heart
efficiently and in the correct quantity. This collection of solidified
plaque/calcium build up within the narrowing diameter of the arteries (aka:
thrombus) creates the perfect opportunity for blood to clot which makes the
condition even worse because now the arteries aren’t able to circulate blood
due to the additional blockage. A thrombus is dangerous and cause either 1) an
occlusion: complete cut off of blood flow or 2) embolism: where the thrombus
detaches from the residential area within that artery to travel and get stuck
in a smaller artery. Without oxygen, muscle dies. So, when either of these
things happen, then the oxygen supply beyond the blockage may die. Heart
attacks and strokes may result from this sort of blockage that restricts O2
blood flow to the heart and/or brain. Possible signs include: stroke activity, respiratory
rate/pulse rate quality, and rhythm abnormalities, cyanosis, altered state
possibly, heart attack, etc. Symptoms
include: chest pain. Related conditions: include: angina pectoris (chest pain),
acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), and congestive heart failure.
Another cause of cardiac conditions includes Aneurysm.
Aneurysm is the inflation of the arterial walls that dilates due to weakness in
that specific area. The dilation can be due to an independent variable or due to
other cardiac related problems. So, if the blood flow is compromised due to a
blockage, then it is lacking in oxygen and the muscle dies/weakens like I
mentioned as an action of CAD which makes the wall weak. The swelling is
probable to burst which allows for the release of blood (aka: internal bleeding
just like my trauma case in class). As we have learned before, glucose is in
blood and destroys muscle tissue when in contact with it. In addition to the
destruction of the muscle, the blood flow and circulation to the heart is
absent. The bigger the rupture of the artery, the bigger the problem and
stronger the shock to the body/likeliness of death. Ruptures may occur in the
artery of the brain (stroke, diabetic patients, altered state), the aorta
(caused from possible abdominal injuries). Signs: vomiting, seizure, drooping
eyelid, altered state, loss of consciousness, etc. Symptoms: headache, nausea,
stiff neck, sensitivity to light, chest pain, etc.
In other words, Coronary Artery Disease has to do with the
actual disease caused from continuous build-up of plaque which then calcifies
forming a thrombus/blockage in the arteries or an embolism which moves to
occlude the flow of blood elsewhere. This blockage restricts the amount of O2
being circulated to the heart and brain. The result of this blockage is the
inflammation of the arterial walls known as Aneurysm which normally bursts
resulting in internal bleeding, stroke or heart attack, and/or possible death.
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