Here are some of the most common Cardiovascular Diseases from Dr Dan Horton-Szar BSc(Hons) MBBS(Hons), Northgate Medical Practice, Canterbury , UK . Reproduced with kind premission of www.studentconsult.com
Hypertension
Hypertension is a common disorder that is defined as sustained elevation of systolic blood pressure (BP) > 160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg. Three successive readings are typically required for diagnosis.
What to learn
- Risk factors and causes of primary and secondary hypertension
- Long-term risks of uncontrolled hypertension
- Drug treatment of hypertension
Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
Ischemic heart disease is a condition caused by reduction or cessation of the blood supply to the myocardium. It gives rise to four main syndromes: stable angina, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. The most important cause of IHD is atherosclerosis.
What to learn
- Pathophysiology and causes of atherosclerosis
- Cardiac risk factors
- Diagnosis and management of myocardial infarction
- Interventions and drugs in the long-term management of IHD
Heart failure
Heart failure can be defined as the inability of the heart to maintain sufficient cardiac output to adequately perfuse the tissues for normal metabolism. It can be caused by conditions that damage heart muscle (e.g., IHD or cardiomyopathies) or that demand increased work of the heart (e.g., systemic hypertension or valvular heart disease).
What to learn
- Causes of heart failure
- Symptoms and signs of right- and left-sided heart failure
- Compensatory mechanisms in heart failure
- Medical management of heart failure
Arrhythmia
Any deviation from the normal sinus rhythm of the heart is known as an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are classified clinically by site of origin (supraventricular or ventricular) and heart rate (bradycardia or tachycardia).
What to learn
- How to spell ‘arrhythmia’
- Causes of and risk factors for arrhythmia
- Recognition of the big four: atrial fibrillation (AF), heart block, ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF).
- Treatment protocols: drugs, cardioversion, ablation, and defibrillation
