Cardiovascular Diseases Lecture Notes

Overview

• Cardiovascular diseases categorized and discussed in detail.

Coronary Artery Disease (Ischemic Heart Disease)

• Definition: Poor blood flow to the heart due to plaque (atherosclerosis).
• Conditions:
  • Acute Myocardial Infarction: Necrosis of myocardial tissue due to lack of oxygenation.
  • Angina:
    • Stable Angina: Stable plaque, chest pain upon exertion.
    • Unstable Angina: Unstable plaque, involves thrombosis.
  • Heart Attack: Sudden blockage of heart blood vessel; life-threatening.

Heart Failure

• Causes: Coronary heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, vasculitis.
• Symptoms: Chronic tiredness, reduced activity, shortness of breath.
• Types:
  • Right-sided Heart Failure: Often follows left-sided heart failure; blood backs up into tissues like the liver.
  • Left-sided Heart Failure: Blood backs up into lungs, causing pulmonary edema.
  • Congestive Heart Failure: Involves both sides; causes widespread congestion.

Cardiomyopathies

• Definition: Heart muscle issues (enlarged, thickened, stiff).
• Types:
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Enlarged ventricles; leads to systolic heart failure.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Thickened ventricles; leads to diastolic heart failure.
  • Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Normal left ventricle, but atrial and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Aortic Diseases

• Aortic Aneurysm: Abnormal widening of aorta; can result in thrombosis.
• Aortic Dissection: Blood accumulates between aortic layers.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

• Definition: Plaque formation in peripheral vasculature, e.g., renal stenosis.

Valvular Diseases

• Valvulitis: Inflammation of heart valves, often due to rheumatic heart disease.
• Rheumatic Heart Disease: Damage due to rheumatic fever from Group A Streptococcus.
• Other Conditions: Aortic and mitral stenosis/regurgitation.

Pericarditis

• Definition: Inflammation of the pericardium; causes friction and pain.
• Other Conditions:
  • Pericardial Effusion: Can lead to tamponade.
  • Hemopericardium: Life-threatening.

Congenital Heart Diseases

• Overview: Leading cause of death in the first year of life.
• Types:
  • Patent Foramen Ovale: Left to right shunt.
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Left to right shunt between aorta and pulmonary artery.
  • Coarctation of the Aorta: Narrowing of the aorta.
  • Transposition of the Great Vessels: Anatomical switch.
  • Tetralogy of Fallot: Includes ventricular hypertrophy, septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and overriding aorta.

Conclusion

• Summary of major cardiovascular diseases.
• Further resources for each condition may be available.