Wake-Up Call

By Lisa Marie Rubin, Clyde Freeman Herreid

Abstract

The main character of this case is Denise, who we first meet in the early morning hours as she wakes up in a cold sweat, gasping for breath. But it is her husband, Jeremy, who has been diagnosed with heart disease, not her. What’s going on? In this interrupted case study, in which the other main character is Denise’s heart (who we get to know through a series of “interior” monologues), students learn about the risk factors, symptoms, and consequences of a heart attack. The case is suitable for a course in pathophysiology, first year nursing, enzymology, advanced biology or anatomy, or nutrition.

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Date Posted

09/16/2002

Overview

Objectives

Outline blood circulation within the heart and label a given diagram.
Identify the three major coronary arteries.
Discuss the pathophysiology of a heart attack, including plaque formation, the role of cholesterol, HDLs vs. LDLs, the blood-clotting and inflammatory systems, and serum enzyme inflation.
Differentiate between cardiac arrest, heart attack, ischemia, cardiogenic shock, and arrhythmia.
Know the specific enzyme elevation patterns associated with heart attack.
Understand why unstable plaque is a greater risk factor for heart attack than stable plaque.
Identify key symptoms of heart attack for men and women.
Understand a key hormonal difference that may account for why men are more prone to heart disease.
Identify possible complications of a heart attack.
Identify and discuss critical heart disease risk factors, both hereditary and environmental.
Understand key preventative measures to stay heart healthy.
Evaluate risk factors based on different patient’s profiles and determine what each person should do to decrease their risk for a heart attack.

Keywords

Cardiovascular disease; heart disease; coronary artery disease; cardiac arrest; heart attack; myocardial infarction; angina; ischemia, cardiogenic shock; arrhythmia; unstable plaque; HDL; LDL; cholesterol; embolism; heart healthy diet

Subject Headings

Anatomy

Biology (General)

Medicine (General)

Nursing

Nutrition

Physiology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division, Graduate, Professional (degree program), General public & informal education

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

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Answer Key

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