Mitral Stenosis and Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial Infarction - Mitral Stenosis


Mitral stenosis

Mitral stenosis is a valvular heart disease characterized by the narrowing of the orifice of the mitral valve of the heart.

Symptoms of mitral stenosis include:

  • Heart failure symptoms, such as dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)
  • Palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Hemoptysis
  • Thromboembolism in later stages when the left atrial volume is increased (i.e., dilation). The latter leads to increase risk of atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk of blood stasis (motionless). This increases the risk of coagulation.
  • Ascites and edema and hepatomegaly (if right-side heart failure develops)
  • Fatigue and weakness increase with exercise and pregnancy.

Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack, is the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die. This is most commonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery following the rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, which is an unstable collection of lipids (fatty acids) and white blood cells (especially macrophages) in the wall of an artery. The resulting ischemia (restriction in blood supply) and oxygen shortage, if left untreated for a sufficient period of time, can cause damage or death (infarction) of heart muscle tissue (myocardium).


Signs and symptoms

Patients with typical myocardial infarction may have the following prodromal symptoms in the days preceding the event (although typical STEMI may occur suddenly, without warning):
  • Fatigue
  • Chest discomfort
  • Malaise
Typical chest pain in acute myocardial infarction has the following characteristics:
  • Intense and unremitting for 30-60 minutes
  • Retrosternal and often radiates up to the neck, shoulder, and jaw and down to the ulnar aspect of the left arm
  • Usually described as a substernal pressure sensation that also may be characterized as squeezing, aching, burning, or even sharp
  • In some patients, the symptom is epigastric, with a feeling of indigestion or of fullness and gas
The patient’s vital signs may demonstrate the following in myocardial infarction:
  • The patient’s heart rate is often increased secondary to sympathoadrenal discharge
  • The pulse may be irregular because of ventricular ectopy, an accelerated idioventricular rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or flutter, or other supraventricular arrhythmias; bradyarrhythmias may be present
  • In general, the patient's blood pressure is initially elevated because of peripheral arterial vasoconstriction resulting from an adrenergic response to pain and ventricular dysfunction
  • However, with right ventricular myocardial infarction or severe left ventricular dysfunction, hypotension is seen
  • The respiratory rate may be increased in response to pulmonary congestion or anxiety
  • Coughing, wheezing, and the production of frothy sputum may occur
  • Fever is usually present within 24-48 hours, with the temperature curve generally parallel to the time course of elevations of creatine kinase (CK) levels in the blood. Body temperature may occasionally exceed 102°F

Popular posts from this blog

Administering a Metered Dose Inhaler (self administration)

Medical Equipments: Medication Administration Record (MAR) Medication with Dropper Emesis Basin (optional) Non-sterile Gloves Tissue Nursing Actions: Check the allergies that patient may have Determine the written order on MAR Wash hands Check patient’s identification armband Explain the procedures to the patient and provide privacy Ask patient to blow nose unless contraindicated Inform the patient that he/she may feel a burning sensation to the mucosa or a choking sensation, or both, as the drop trickles back into the throat Place patient in a supine position and hyperextend the neck and position the head to the site that facilitates the drop reaching the expected site Instruct the patient to breathe through mouth Squeeze medications into the dropper Insert the nasal drops about 3/8 inch into nostril and keep the tip of the dropper away from the sides of the nares. Instill the medication as prescribed and observe for signs and discomforts Ask the patient to maintain supine position fo
Read more

Nursing School Rankings

by: Milos Pesic The US News & World Report and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Report on Research Funding conduct nursing school rankings to measure the status of quality of different nursing schools nationwide. Various factors affect how nursing school rankings are determined but it all serves the purpose of providing more information to anyone in search of a nursing school. As you evaluate different leaning institutions for your nursing education, nursing school rankings should supplement your own research. First, determine which specific nursing program you wish to enter and then based on that look at nursing schools in your chosen location that offer that specific program. You can use nursing school rankings to find out the areas of strength of a particular school and if it matches your interest and needs. In general, organizations determine nursing school rankings by gathering data through surveys that are prepared by professors and other scholars. Survey respondents c
Read more

10 Beneficial Foods for Maintaining Healthy Skin and Prevent Wrinkles

Image
Tight skin is the dream of all people, especially women. In addition to routine maintenance, you also need a balanced diet to have healthy skin. To prevent skin wrinkles, some foods are very beneficial when consumed. Most anti - wrinkle foods rich in antioxidants, which neutralize the effects of free radicals that attack collagen and elasticity of skin tissue. Some of these habits can be anti- wrinkling skin : Drink 4-6 glasses of water every day, wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen when in the sun, and of course do not smoke. Here are some foods that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, especially the skin to prevent wrinkles : 1. Blueberries Blueberries and other berries contain powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Eat one serving or 1/2 cup every day, if possible choose organic berries. 2. Salmon Salmon and other cold water fish rich in omega - 3 fatty acids, which delays wrinkles by preventing inflammation and as a skin lubricant. Eat about 3 - ounce fish this typ
Read more