In this category you will find all our care plans covering the cardiovascular system.
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart condition characterized by four defects: Because of these structural flaws, blood is poorly oxygenated when pumped to the rest of the body. Because the blood does not contain enough oxygen, infants may display a bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the skin, nails, and lips. Tetralogy of Fallot is … Read more
Cardiomyopathy is used to describe a disorder that affects the heart muscle. It is characterized by the thickening, stretching, and stiffening of the heart, affecting the ability of the heart to pump blood. Cardiomyopathy can affect anyone at any age and may have no known cause. These are the three major types of cardiomyopathy: Dilated … Read more
Myocardial infarction (MI) is commonly referred to as a “heart attack”. Myocardial ischemia is inadequate perfusion to the myocardium that occurs from a partial or complete blockage of blood and oxygen to the heart. The major cause of a heart attack is coronary artery disease. In an emergency, as the cells lose oxygen, ischemia (reduced … Read more
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of one or more pulmonary arteries by a blood clot. Large emboli obstruct pulmonary blood flow, causing reduced oxygenation, reduced gas exchange, decreased perfusion, pulmonary tissue hypoxia, and even death. Most PEs occur due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities when a thrombus breaks off and … Read more
Chest pain or angina is the discomfort a person experiences when the heart does not get enough oxygen. Chest pain is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying cause. The pain felt in angina can be described as squeezing, dull, sharp, crushing, or burning. Severe chest pain may be described as extreme … Read more
Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure (BP) for most adults is 120/80 mm Hg. BP less than 90/60 mm Hg is considered hypotensive. Hypotension is often asymptomatic and does not always require intervention. It only becomes a concern if the pressure is not able to supply oxygen-rich blood to … Read more
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a term used to describe conditions that affect the arteries that provide nutrients, blood, and oxygen to the heart. Atherosclerosis, a known cause of CAD, is characterized by lipid deposits within the walls of the arteries. These plaques narrow arteries, obstructing blood flow. This increases the risk of angina and … Read more
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart arrhythmias. It may be abbreviated as AFib or AF. AFib causes an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm. This can lead to abnormal blood flow and the development of clots. AFib increases the risk of events such as stroke, heart failure, and myocardial ischemia or heart … Read more
Hypertension is high blood pressure. The guidelines were updated by the American College of Cardiology in 2017, and a blood pressure of less than 120/80 mmHg is now considered normal. Anything above this is considered elevated, and stage 1 hypertension is diagnosed at 130/80 mmHg. Hypertension is the most common preventable risk factor for cardiovascular … Read more
Heart failure (HF), sometimes referred to as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), occurs when the heart can’t supply blood effectively to the rest of the body. The left ventricle of the heart is larger and is responsible for most of the pumping action. In left-sided HF, the left ventricle either loses its contractility so it isn’t … Read more