4 Heart Conditions That Need Intensive Cardiovascular Care
Which conditions need intensive cardiovascular care? Learn the signs of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock.
One of the most important parts of a hospital's heart care is the ICCU, or Intensive Cardiovascular Care Unit. The people who work there are used to handling heart-related emergencies. So which conditions need intensive cardiovascular care? Here are the details.
Heart Conditions That Need Intensive Care
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome is a significant blockage in the coronary arteries of the heart. The main job of the coronary arteries is to supply blood to the heart. If that flow is disrupted, the patient suffers an unstable angina attack or a sudden heart attack. Both conditions share the same telltale sign: chest pain.
Many things can trigger acute coronary syndrome, including older age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, diabetes, smoking, stroke and illegal drug abuse. Symptoms of the condition include cold sweats, shortness of breath, arrhythmia and more.
- Acute Heart Failure
Acute heart failure is the term for a new-onset cardiac event that develops rapidly. It can also indicate that an existing heart failure is getting worse, which is why it needs immediate treatment. Patients who need intensive cardiovascular care and are reached too late can die.
In general, heart failure is a syndrome caused by an abnormality in the structure or function of the heart, leading to lower cardiac output or higher pressure inside the heart. Symptoms can include dyspnea, swelling in the lower extremities and orthopnea. A typical sign is raised jugular venous pressure.
- Respiratory Failure
Respiratory failure is an emergency that needs immediate treatment, and it involves the respiratory system failing to do its job. The main functions of the respiratory system are oxygenation and the elimination of carbon dioxide. Based on these two functions, respiratory failure is divided into two types: hypercapnic and hypoxemic.
- Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic shock is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood around the body. Symptoms in the patient include falling blood pressure, a fast but weak pulse, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath and a drop in consciousness. If this happens, the patient needs intensive cardiovascular care.
Heart problems can't be handled carelessly. You need to go to a large hospital or a specialized heart clinic to get the best treatment. One heart hospital in Jakarta is Heartology.
