Chapter 15

Cardiovascular Disease

Hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular conditions

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Conditions

8 conditions in this chapter

15. Cardiovascular Disease

MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE HYPERTENSION

Guidelines For Treatment Of Hypertension:

« Start with first line medicine » Start with the lowest recommended doses

Cardiac Failure

Usually presents with shortness of breath on exertion or at rest, swelling of ankles, ascites and easy fatiguability.

Angina Pectoris

Change in lifestyle measures. Minimise risk factors with particular attention to:

Acute Myocardial Infarction

» Setup an intravenous line (dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%) » Give aspirin at the earliest possible opportunity

Arrhythmias After Myocardial Infarction:

Ectopic beats Give reassurance about the condition, but if troublesome:

Refer To Specialist For Pacemaker Insertion.

Consult a microbiologist where possible. Alpha-haemolytic streptococci are the most common causes of native valve endocarditis, but Staphylococcus aureus is more likely if the disease is rapidly progressive with high fever, or is related to a prosthetic valve (Staphylococcus epidermidis). Three sets of blood cultures should be taken before starting treatment.

Rheumatic Fever

penicillin allergy day Treatment of acute arthritis and carditis: