Components of the heart - the pump
the electrical system
the vascular system
the blood volume
serum lipid levels - fats can clog blood vessels and
... [Show More] decrease blood flow. LDL should be less than 130. HDL greater than 45. total cholesterol lower than 200.
Serum Electrolytes - can affect the conduction of the heart
Hemoglobin - An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen.
Creatinine kinase and troponin - is elevated with cardiac cell death. usually indicates an MI
Preload - amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of diastole. Increases due to increase of volume.
Afterload - the resistance that has to be exceeded for the ventricle to eject the blood during systole. Increases due to HTN or vasoconstriction.
cardiac output - heart rate x stroke volume
Lifespan considerations - -HR goes down in older adults
-heart loses muscle tone which causes decrease of cardiac output
-BP will trend up with age
-Irregularities in infants and children in common
-atherosclerosis is the build up of plaque in the vascular walls. more common in older adults
-HTN typically elevates in older populations
African American and hispanic populations - are more likely to develop chronic HTN and heart diseases
Geriatric concerns - -blood vessels are less elastic
-impaired valves due to stiffness causing a decrease in CO
-Decreased baroreceptor response
Non-modifiable risk factors - age, race, family, gender ethnicity
Modifiable risk factors - lifestyle, diseases, and stress
metabolic syndrome - A syndrome marked by the presence of usually three or more of a group of factors:
-central obesity
-increased triglycerides
-elevated cholesterol levels
-hypertension
-hyperglycemia
C-reactive protein - A nonspecific protein, produced in the liver, that becomes elevated during episodes of acute inflammation or infection.
elevated homocysteine levels - ndicates presence of atherosclerosis and is a predictor of who is at risk
Ischemia - an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles.
How do you know if there is not enough blood being received in the tissue? - Check temp, color, appearance, cap refill, etc of peripheral extremities
tissue ischemia - point at which tissues receive insufficient oxygen and perfusion which can then result in gangrene or amputation
Anemia - A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.
Can be due to chronic bleeding or maybe deficient in iron or folate in the diet [Show Less]