Cardiovascular Disease
Chapter 14:
Critical Care Nursing
(Pg 338-366, 412-437)
Chapter 15: Cardiovascular Disorders
Coronary Artery Disease
Description and Etiology
The biggest contributor to cardiovascular system- related morbidity and mortality is coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that affects arteries throughout the body. (CAD) Risk Factors for CAD
1. Age, Gender, Race (non-modifiable)
a. More common in men than women
b. Higher in women over 75 years of age
2. Family History (non-modifiable)
a. A positive family history is one in which a close blood relative has had a MI or stroke before age 60
b. Individuals with a family history had a 50% greater risk of having an acute MI
3. Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia is a leading factor responsible for atherosclerosis and the development of CAD
Assessing the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels is essential to the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients
a. Total Cholesterol: the total cholesterol is the sum of the HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is used as a starting point for lipid testing. A total cholesterol level higher than 200 mg/dL is an indication to investigate the lipid profile
b. HDL: cholesterol level below 40 mg/dL in adult males and below 50 mg/dL in adult females is considered low and is a risk factor for HD and stroke
c. LDL: High LDL level initiate the atherosclerotic process by infiltrating the vessel wall and binding to the matrix of cells beneath the endothelium. High LDL cholesterol is initially managed by no pharmacologic lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, low fat diet, physical exercise and attainment of a normal body size as measured by the body mass index (BMI)
d. Triglycerides
d.i. Triglycerides are serum lipids that constitute an additional atherogenic risk factor. A fasting triglyceride level above 150 mg/dL in adults is considered elevated and is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke
Critical Care Nursing
(Pg 338-366, 412-437)
Chapter 15: Cardiovascular Disorders
Coronary Artery Disease
Description and Etiology
The biggest contributor to cardiovascular system- related morbidity and mortality is coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that affects arteries throughout the body. (CAD) Risk Factors for CAD
1. Age, Gender, Race (non-modifiable)
a. More common in men than women
b. Higher in women over 75 years of age
2. Family History (non-modifiable)
a. A positive family history is one in which a close blood relative has had a MI or stroke before age 60
b. Individuals with a family history had a 50% greater risk of having an acute MI
3. Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia is a leading factor responsible for atherosclerosis and the development of CAD
Assessing the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels is essential to the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients
a. Total Cholesterol: the total cholesterol is the sum of the HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is used as a starting point for lipid testing. A total cholesterol level higher than 200 mg/dL is an indication to investigate the lipid profile
b. HDL: cholesterol level below 40 mg/dL in adult males and below 50 mg/dL in adult females is considered low and is a risk factor for HD and stroke
c. LDL: High LDL level initiate the atherosclerotic process by infiltrating the vessel wall and binding to the matrix of cells beneath the endothelium. High LDL cholesterol is initially managed by no pharmacologic lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation, low fat diet, physical exercise and attainment of a normal body size as measured by the body mass index (BMI)
d. Triglycerides
d.i. Triglycerides are serum lipids that constitute an additional atherogenic risk factor. A fasting triglyceride level above 150 mg/dL in adults is considered elevated and is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke