Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Meaning: Heart attack due to blocked coronary artery. Patho: decreased Blood flow -> heart tissue
death. Risk: Smoking, HTN, high cholesterol, diabetes. Hallmark: Crushing chest pain radiating to
jaw/left arm. First sign: Chest pain or pressure. Worsens: SOB, sweating, nausea, hypotension. Tx:
MONA (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitro, Aspirin), PCI. Prevent: Healthy diet, exercise, statins, no smoking.
Heart Failure (HF)
Meaning: Heart can't pump enough blood. Patho: Weak pump -> fluid backup. Risk: MI, HTN, valve
disease. Hallmark: Left - Pulmonary congestion; Right - Edema, JVD. First sign: Fatigue, SOB on
exertion. Worsens: Orthopnea, weight gain, crackles. Tx: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers.
Prevent: Control BP, monitor weight, low-sodium diet.
Stroke (CVA)
Meaning: Brain cell death due to clot or bleed. Patho: Blocked/ruptured vessel -> no O2 to brain.
Risk: HTN, a-fib, diabetes, smoking. Hallmark: FAST - facial droop, arm drift, slurred speech. First
sign: Sudden numbness or confusion. Worsens: Loss of consciousness, hemiplegia. Tx: tPA for ischemic
stroke (within 3-4.5 hrs). Prevent: BP control, aspirin, healthy lifestyle.
