[Cardiac Lesson Outline] Your Guide to Mastering Angina 💓

nursing.com logo blue flursicpflg NURSING.com, Mastering cardiac concepts can be challenging, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of nursing. A deep understanding here really impacts patient care. Today’s Tip: Let’s Talk About Angina If you’re diving into cardiac care, understanding Angina is key. I’ve put together a quick guide to help you out—be sure to flag this email for easy reference later or download at the bottom of this email! ANGINA OVERVIEW * Definition: Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD). * Pathophysiology: It occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood (and oxygen) as it needs, usually due to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. GENERAL POINTS Most common causes * Coronary artery disease (CAD) * Atherosclerotic plaque ruptures * Clot forms Other causes * Anemia * Heart failure * Stress/overexertion * Abnormal rhythms signs of heart failure Types * Stable – With exertion. Relieved by nitroglycerin * Unstable – At rest. Lasts longer. Unrelieved by nitroglycerin. * Variant – Unpredictable. Desired Outcome * Restore blood flow, decrease chest pain, and improve activity tolerance. ASSESSMENT Subjective Data * Chest Pain * Dyspnea on Exertion angina signs and symptoms Objective Data * Blood Pressure * Hypotension – ↓ cardiac output * Hypertension – ↑ stress on the heart * Arrhythmias * Bradycardias -↓ cardiac output * Supraventricular Tachycardia -↑ stress on the heart * Atrial Fibrillation – ↑ stress on the heart * Other * Syncope * Pale * Diaphoretic THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT Medication Management (anticipated medications) * Thienopyridines (clopidogrel) * Heparin * Renin-Angiotensin Blockade (ARBS or Ace inhibitors) * Oxygen * Morphine (only if indicated by facility) * Beta Blockers * Nitroglycerin (per facility policy) EKG→ Rule out STEMI and monitor arrhythmias ekg-interpretation-for-nurses Monitor Vital Signs (HR, BP, SpO2) for changes Cardiac Enzymes→ Determine myocardial damage Cardiac Stress Test→ Determine myocardial stress point Cluster Care – Rest to decrease myocardial O2 demands Every step you take brings you closer to mastering cardiac. I hope this outline helps you solidify your understanding of Angina and boosts your confidence in managing it. Don’t forget to check your email tomorrow for another helpful cardiac resource! You can do this, and I’m here to support you every step of the way! Download Angina Lesson Outline Happy Nursing! -Jon Haws, RN Instagram TikTok YouTube Try NURSING.com FREE for 3 days: CLICK HERE Happy Nursing! 😊 100,000+ nursing school graduates FAILED the NCLEX® last year. NURSING.com has a 99.86% Pass Rate PLUS a 200% NCLEX Pass Guarantee. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE NURSING.com, 11918 Division Street #2114, PORTLAND, Oregon 97266, United States