Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
The heart is the human’s central blood pump, a motor which through arteries, veins and capillaries supplies blood to every part of the body, including the heart itself for correct functioning. Failure to deliver blood to different limbs and organs (excluding the brain) at any particular time can result in pain, numbness or loss of function for some time. However, failure to deliver blood to the heart itself, compromises its correct functioning and could result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which, if not intervened within an hour of the onset of symptoms, results in immediate death in more than 50% of the cases[1].
Cardiovascular disease, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD) (also known as coronary heart disease) is the number one killer in the US, shadowing all other causes, including cancer, unintentional injuries, lung disease and AIDS [2]. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply the heart with its own share of blood which keeps the heart pumping. CAD occurs when the heart’s blood suppliers, i.e. coronary arteries, are constricted due to plaque accumulation (Figure 1B) and hence result in an inadequate blood supply, which prevents the heart from pumping effectively or in the worst case scenario, a heart attack.
There are two main coronary arteries which supply the heart: right and left coronary artery (Figure 1A). The left coronary artery divides into two branches, the circumflex and the left anterior
Cardiovascular diseases has affected large number of population worldwide and in developed countries it is responsible for half of all deaths, coronary artery disease (CAD) alone is responsible for 1 of every 4.7 deaths in the United States (Eichner et al., 2002).
Have you ever imagine a body functioning without a heart? The heart, the center of the cardiovascular system, is the essential manager for just about everything that gives the body life. Correspondingly, most of the heart diseases are fatal and cannot be ignored. In fact, "heart disease is the leading cause of death for women as well as men"(1). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 25 seconds someone has a coronary event(1). One of these diseases is coronary heart disease (CHD). "CHD is a condition in which certain substances builds up inside the coronary arteries"(2). When these substances block the flow of oxygen-rich blood, heart attacks most often occur. Heart attack, also known as myocardial infarction, is a serious event and a leading killer that has numerous symptoms and certain risk factors.
Cardiovascular disease is a substantial concern and has emerged as one of the leading health issues. In examining cardiovascular disease, its incidence is astounding. Each year approximately one million men and women die, averaging one death every thirty three seconds (Heart, 2013).The death rate for cardiovascular issues such as myocardial infarction and CHF claim more lives than cancer and Aids combined. Heart disease will be the number one cause of death by the
Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ischemic heart disease is the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2014). While over 20,000 of deaths in 2011 were attributed to CHD. There were estimated 590,000 Australians 18 years old and above diagnosed with CHD in 2011-2012 (AIHW, 2014; Craft, 2014, pg. 596). Myocardial ischaemia is a common form of CHD. A sufficient coronary artery blood flow is essential to supply oxygen for normal cardiac activities. Myocardial ischaemia develops when there is an insufficient supply of blood and oxygen to support the function of myocardial cells (Craft, 2014, pg. 599). A decrease in blood supply can led to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by narrowing or occluding the arteries. Other conditions such as hypotension, coronary spasm, dysthymias, hypoxemia and anaemia can also decrease the blood and oxygen supply to the myocardial cells (McCance & Huether, 2014, pg. 1153)
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is the leading cause of mortality in both men and women in the United States today. It has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that CAD accounted for nearly 616,000 deaths in 2011 and was responsible for 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. in the same year. 1 Coronary artery disease is a progressive disease where the major arterial vessels supplying the heart become occluded and sclerotic due to the buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the artery through a process called atherosclerosis. 2 CAD eventually leads to heart failure and a myocardial infarction (MI).
With the increased consumption of fast-food and poor lifestyle choices, we have become an increasingly obese nation. For this reason, diseases such as cardiovascular disease have been on the rise. Cardiovascular disease is the combined term for a number of diseases concerning the heart and the blood vessels. Many of these life threatening diseases are related to a condition called atherosclerosis. The condition creates plaque build-up on the walls of the blood vessels. The plaque effects the flow of blood making it harder and can lead to blood clots which stops the flow of blood altogether. The two main effects to this are heart attacks and strokes however, other types of cardiovascular disease includes complete heart failure, arrhythmia
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a type of cardiovascular disease that may be referred to by several other names such as: coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, or simply heart disease, and is a pathological condition where plaque (a waxy substance) has accumulated over time in the coronary arteries and has built up to the point where it reduces oxygenated blood flow to the heart (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016).
First, Coronary Artery Disease is a serious heart condition that impairs blood flow to the heart muscle. A nurse should have knowledge of the disease process, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments available. The coronary arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart. The main coronary arteries are the left and the right arteries. The left coronary artery. The disease is typically caused by plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque affecting layers of the large and midsize arteries. Plaque contains cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and collagen. When plaque accumulates in the arteries it decreases the size of the inside of the arteries. Plaque may surround the
The left one supplies blood to the left ventricle and atrium and the right supplies blood to the right atrium and ventricle. These vessels supply the heart with the oxygen and nutrients that are required to function and survive (Sanders, Lewis, Quick, & McKenna, 2007, p. 123-124). In the case of an individual with CAD, the most common cause is atherosclerosis. It is a chronic inflammatory reaction in the artery walls with deposits of fatty proteins/lipids and cholesterol (Drake, Vogl, & Mitchell, 2015, p. 27).
Coronary artery disease is caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of plaque in arteries (Tamparo & Lewis, 2011, p. 323). As plaque builds up in the coronary artery, the blood vessel becomes hardened and narrower. Consequently, the accumulated plaque causes a blood clot and it triggers a serious complication such as myocardial infarction. First, one of the most significant risk factors that contribute to coronary artery disease is heredity (Tamparo & Lewis, 2011, p. 323). If one has a family member who developed heart disease at an early age, he has a
According to Heart foundation (2015) , coronary heart disease is a major cause of death in Australia, which kills about one Australian every 12 minutes. It is known that the development of atherosclerosis is the vital cause of coronary heart disease. It induces the accumulation of connective tissue rudiments, lipids, cells and other elements in the coronary artery wall (Hansson, 2005). This results in the asymmetric thickenings of the innermost layer, intima, which prevents adequate blood flow through arteries to supply to the organs and tissues. The plaques origin early in life and can progressively enlarge, harden and cause significant blockage(Hansson, 2005, Mathur, 2010). Else, the plaque can rupture and create blood clots,
These two left arteries feed the front and left side of the heart. The division of the left coronary artery is the reason why doctors usually refer to three main coronary arteries.
The organ that never quits thumping, what keeps every one of us alive and carrying on with the life we were given, which is the most noticeable killer… The Human Heart. It is vital to comprehend our heart and how to deal with it to carry on with a full and sound life. Coronary illness or also called Cardiovascular Disease refers to an assortment of conditions that influence your heart and has a few medications however can be predicted.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is disease of the heart and blood vessels. There are many forms of disease that are classified as CVD, with atherosclerosis underpinning many of the disease an individual may experience. This is due to the increase in plaque lining the vessels, causing arterial stiffness. This is primarily due to the modifiable risk factors describe further on in this essay. According to WHO (2014) 17.5million people die annually from CVD; it is a top ten leading cause of death in both low income and high income areas. Furthermore, it costs £6.8 billion to the UK annually, with £1.8 billion of costings contributed from the NHS; this figure is rising each year (British Heart Foundation, 2014). The most common type of CVD to cause death is ischemic heart disease (46%), usually associated with heart attacks and angina, as the disease causes narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Second to this, cerebrovascular disease (34%); impedance of blood supply to the brain, causing health issues such as, stroke and transient ischemic attacks. Thirdly, hypertensive heart disease contributes to 6% of deaths yearly; it is caused by high blood pressure, aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease (World Heart Federation, 2016).
This paper will discuss to you the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease and the effects it has on the body. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease there is, and it causes much suffering and pain in those who acquire the disease. In this essay, I will discuss with you the disease process, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications and the collaborative care provided. I will also compare my patient’s clinical manifestations to the pathophysiology of Coronary artery disease