EMT 251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Coronary Artery Disease, Angina Pectoris, Coronary Circulation

• School: College of The Sequoias
• Department: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Course: EMT 251
• Professor: Tootle

Document Summary

Pain in the chest occurring when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is no receiving enough oxygen. In this condition, coronary artery disease has narrowed the arteries that supply the heart. During times of exertion or stress, the heart works harder and the portion of the myocardium supplied by the narrow artery becomes starved for oxygen. The pain will frequently diminish when the patient stops the exertion. As oxygen demand returns to normal pain subsides. Seldom does this painful attack, also known as an angina attack, last longer than 5 minutes. Patients prescribed nitroglycerin have known heart conditions, most angina patients are advised by their doctors to take ntg for their chest pain. If there is no relief after rest and three doses, patient is instructed to call for help. The condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation; often called a heart attack.