ACUTE ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE Etiology:
Often referred to as acute coronary AIHD is typically caused by a
syndrome (ACS), is a serious blockage in the coronary arteries,
cardiovascular condition that occurs which supply blood to the heart
when there is a sudden decrease in muscle. The blockage is often due to:
blood flow to the heart muscle due to a
Atherosclerosis: the primary
blockage in one or more of the
cause, involving the gradual
coronary arteries. This can lead to
build-up of atherosclerotic
insufficient oxygen supply to the heart
plaques in coronary arteries.
muscle, resulting to tissue damage or
Plaque Rupture: plaque
cell death (MI/HEART ATTACK).
destabilization can lead to
Acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD) rupture, exposing thrombogenic
refers to a group of conditions that material.
occur when the heart muscle does not Thrombus Formation: platelet
receive enough oxygen-rich blood, aggregation and fibrin formation
leading to damage or death of the result in clot formation.
heart muscle cells. Coronary Artery Spasm:
Vasospasm may cause
There are 3 main types of AIHD: temporary reduction of blood
1. ST-segment elevation flow.
myocardial infarction (STEMI): Emboli: Dislodged clots or debris
most severe type, characterized by can obstruct coronary arteries.
a complete blockage of a coronary Risk Factors:
artery, resulting in permanent
damage to the heart muscle. Age
2. Non-ST-segment elevation Male sex
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): Family History
This type occurs when there is a Genetics
partial blockage of a coronary Smoking
artery, resulting in less damage to Hypertension
the heart muscle compared to Diabetes
STEMI. Hyperlipidemia
3. Unstable Angina: occurs when Obesity
there is a temporary blockage or a Drug use
coronary artery, resulting in chest Physical exertion
pain that can resolve with rest or Emotional stress
medication. Electrolyte imbalances
Assessment:
Subjective Data:
a. Nursing History:
Chest pain description
(quality, location, radiation,
duration)
, Risk factors (smoking, HTN, supply blood to the heart
diabetes, family history) and determine whether they
Previous cardiac have been narrowed.
history/interventions b. Invasive Tests:
Medication history Coronary Angiography: to
visualize the coronary
Objective Data:
arteries and identify any
a. Physical Assessment (Clinical
Manifestations):
Chest discomfort/pain
Diaphoresis (profuse
sweating)
Pallor and cool, clammy
skin
Dyspnea & tachypnea
Abnormal heart sounds
(e.g., murmurs)
Changes in blood
pressure, HR, & rhythm.
Decreased LOC
obstructions or stenosis.
Diagnostic Assessment Percutaneous Coronary
a. Non-invasive Tests: Intervention (PCI): to open
Electrocardiogram (ECG): up blocked coronary
to identify any abnormal
rhythms or ST Segment
changes indicative of MI.
Cardiac enzyme
tests/biomarkers (troponin
or creatinine kinase): to
confirm myocardial cell
damage.
Echocardiography: to
evaluate cardiac function
and identify any regional
wall motion abnormalities.
Stress test: to assess
cardiac function and
coronary blood flow during
exercise.
Coronary Computed
Tomography Angiography
(CTA): uses an injection of
iodine-containing contrast
material and CT scanning to
examine the arteries that
Often referred to as acute coronary AIHD is typically caused by a
syndrome (ACS), is a serious blockage in the coronary arteries,
cardiovascular condition that occurs which supply blood to the heart
when there is a sudden decrease in muscle. The blockage is often due to:
blood flow to the heart muscle due to a
Atherosclerosis: the primary
blockage in one or more of the
cause, involving the gradual
coronary arteries. This can lead to
build-up of atherosclerotic
insufficient oxygen supply to the heart
plaques in coronary arteries.
muscle, resulting to tissue damage or
Plaque Rupture: plaque
cell death (MI/HEART ATTACK).
destabilization can lead to
Acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD) rupture, exposing thrombogenic
refers to a group of conditions that material.
occur when the heart muscle does not Thrombus Formation: platelet
receive enough oxygen-rich blood, aggregation and fibrin formation
leading to damage or death of the result in clot formation.
heart muscle cells. Coronary Artery Spasm:
Vasospasm may cause
There are 3 main types of AIHD: temporary reduction of blood
1. ST-segment elevation flow.
myocardial infarction (STEMI): Emboli: Dislodged clots or debris
most severe type, characterized by can obstruct coronary arteries.
a complete blockage of a coronary Risk Factors:
artery, resulting in permanent
damage to the heart muscle. Age
2. Non-ST-segment elevation Male sex
myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): Family History
This type occurs when there is a Genetics
partial blockage of a coronary Smoking
artery, resulting in less damage to Hypertension
the heart muscle compared to Diabetes
STEMI. Hyperlipidemia
3. Unstable Angina: occurs when Obesity
there is a temporary blockage or a Drug use
coronary artery, resulting in chest Physical exertion
pain that can resolve with rest or Emotional stress
medication. Electrolyte imbalances
Assessment:
Subjective Data:
a. Nursing History:
Chest pain description
(quality, location, radiation,
duration)
, Risk factors (smoking, HTN, supply blood to the heart
diabetes, family history) and determine whether they
Previous cardiac have been narrowed.
history/interventions b. Invasive Tests:
Medication history Coronary Angiography: to
visualize the coronary
Objective Data:
arteries and identify any
a. Physical Assessment (Clinical
Manifestations):
Chest discomfort/pain
Diaphoresis (profuse
sweating)
Pallor and cool, clammy
skin
Dyspnea & tachypnea
Abnormal heart sounds
(e.g., murmurs)
Changes in blood
pressure, HR, & rhythm.
Decreased LOC
obstructions or stenosis.
Diagnostic Assessment Percutaneous Coronary
a. Non-invasive Tests: Intervention (PCI): to open
Electrocardiogram (ECG): up blocked coronary
to identify any abnormal
rhythms or ST Segment
changes indicative of MI.
Cardiac enzyme
tests/biomarkers (troponin
or creatinine kinase): to
confirm myocardial cell
damage.
Echocardiography: to
evaluate cardiac function
and identify any regional
wall motion abnormalities.
Stress test: to assess
cardiac function and
coronary blood flow during
exercise.
Coronary Computed
Tomography Angiography
(CTA): uses an injection of
iodine-containing contrast
material and CT scanning to
examine the arteries that
