Coronary Artery Disease Management - Trilogy Health Insurance · Coronary Artery Disease Management...

• Male• Older than 65• Diabetes• Family History• High Blood Pressure• High Cholesterol• Smoking• Stress• Lack of exercise/Obesity

Coronary Artery Disease Management

WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?

Coronary artery disease (also called CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits called plaque (say “plak”) build up inside the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries wrap around the heart and supply it with blood and oxygen. When plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries and reduces the amount of blood that gets to your heart muscle. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack.

Hardening of the arteries (Atherosclerosis) can affect any arteries in the body. When it occurs in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, it is called coronary artery disease.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMSGet HealthyStay Healthy

Committed to serving you.

Usually people with coronary artery disease do not have symptoms until after age 50. Then they may start to have symptoms at times when the heart is working harder and needs more oxygen, such as during exercise. Typical first symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort called Angina (Say “ANN-juh-nuh”)• Shortness of breath• Heart Attack - too often, a heart attack is the first symptom of

coronary artery disease

Less common symptoms include:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat• Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)• Increased sweating

Some people do not have any symptoms. In rare cases, a person can have a “silent” heart attack without symptoms.

CONTRIBUTING

FACTORS

2 CA Copyright © 2018 Trilogy Health Insurance, Inc.

WHO TO CALL & WHEN

Get HealthyStay Healthy


WHEN SHOULD I CALL 911?• Chest pain or discomfort (may feel like crushing pain or a squeezing sensation or

heaviness in your chest) that has not gone away within 5 minutes after you have taken one (1) Nitroglycerin and/or rested. As you continue on the phone with 911, repeat your Nitroglycerin and follow the instructions provided to you by the Operator. DO NOT EXCEED 3 NITROGLYCERIN TABLETS IN 15 MINUTES.

• Your chest pain may be accompanied by the following signs:

• Sweating• Shortness of breath• Nausea or vomiting• Pain that extends from the chest to the neck, jaw or one or both shoulders or arms• Dizziness or lightheadedness• A fast or irregular pulse• Signs of shock

• Women are more likely to have symptoms such as shortness of breath, heartburn, nausea, jaw pain, back pain or fatigue

• After calling 911 or other emergency services, you should chew 1 Adult-strength Aspirin (325 mg) or 4 low-dose (81mg) Aspirin. DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ASPIRIN OR UNABLE TO TAKE FOR SOME OTHER REASONS.

• DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF TO THE HOSPITAL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

• Many people are unsure whether they are having a heart attack and so take the “wait and see” approach. Heart attacks vary in symptoms. NEVER WAIT! CALL 911 IMMEDIATLEY.

CONTACT INFORMATIONCardiologist: Phone #:Emergency Contact:

Please keep this along with your medication list on your refrigerator

where it is easily accessible by emergency personnel and family or friends.


PLAQUE



WHAT IS PLAQUE?Plaque is a fatty material made up of cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. To understand why plaque is a problem, compare a healthy artery with an artery with atherosclerosis:

• A healthy artery is like a rubber tube. It is smooth and flexible, and blood flows through it freely. If your heart has to work harder, such as when you exercise, a healthy artery can stretch to let more blood flow to your body’s tissues.

• An artery with atherosclerosis is more like a clogged pipe. Plaque narrows the artery and makes it stiff. This limits the flow of blood to the tissues. When the heart has to work harder, the stiff arteries can’t flex to let more blood through, and the tissues don’t get enough blood and oxygen.

When plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, the heart doesn’t get the blood it needs to work well. Over time, this can weaken or damage the heart muscle. If plaque tears from the wall of the blood vessel, the body tries to fix the tear by forming a blood clot around it. The clot can block blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack.


HIGH CHOLESTEROL



WHAT IS HIGH CHOLESTEROL (HYPERLIPIDEMIA)?Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Your cells need cholesterol, and your body makes all it needs. But you also get cholesterol from the food you eat. If you have too much cholesterol, it starts to build up in your arteries (arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart). This is called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. It is usually a slow process that gets worse as you get older.

Your cholesterol is measured by a blood test:

• High Cholesterol is 240 or above• Border-line high is 200-239• Best is less than 200

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHOLESTEROL?• LDL is the “bad” cholesterol, the kind that clogs your arteries.

• This is the cholesterol you need to lower if you have high cholesterol. • You want your LDL number to be less than 100

• HDL is the “good” cholesterol - HDL helps clear fat from your blood.• A high level of HDL can help protect you from a heart attack. • You want your HDL number to be greater than 60.

• Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. • If you have high triglycerides and high LDL, your chances of having a heart

attack are higher.• You want your Triglyceride number to be less than 150

SCREENING TARGETCHOLESTEROL (total)

200 or below - Desirable200-239 - Borderline240 or above - High Risk

HDL 60 or above - Low Risk of Heart Disease40-60 - Near Optimal40 or below - High Risk of Heart Disease

LDL 100 or below - Low Risk of Heart DiseaseTRIGLYCERIDES 150 or below - Low Risk of Heart Disease


MEDICATION MANAGEMENT



NAME OF MEDICATION : FUNCTION:

STATINS:Lipitor or simvastatin

Help lower your cholesterol

Beta Blockers:Atenolol, Metoprolol, Labetalol

Lower your blood pressure and slow your heart rate. This lessens how hard your heart has to work, reducing the tension in your blood vessels.

Corticosteriods:Prednisone, Steroid Inhalers

May be used in pill form to treat flare-ups or in an inhaled form. They are often used if you also have asthma.

Aspirin: Reduces the risk of blood clots, preventing your platelets from sticking together

Anticoagulant:Coumadin (Warfarin)

Blood thinner. Reduces the risk of blood clots

Nitrates:Nitroglycerin, Isordil

Reduces chest pain or angina

The purpose of medication is to make you feel better and treat your coronary artery disease. It is important you take all of your medication the way your doctor prescribed it. Do NOT stop taking your medications unless you are told to do so as this may make your coronary artery disease worse.

The following are types of medications that may be used to treat your coronary artery disease:


MEDICATION MANAGEMENT



IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT YOUR MEDICATIONSThe medications your doctor prescribed cannot make your coronary artery disease go away, but they can make you feel better and help you manage your disease. Below are some helpful tips regarding your medicine.

HELPFUL TIPS

• Always take your medicine as prescribed.

• Keep all your medications in the original container (filling a weekly pill box is okay, however, do not put the rest of your medications in a different container).

• Try to learn your medications. What does it look like? What is the dose? Remember that from time to time the manufacturer changes. Please clarify any changes with your pharmacist.

• Do not run out of your medicine.

• Tell your pharmacist and doctor all of the medications you are taking, this includes all prescribed and non-prescribed medications such as vitamins and home remedies.

• Do not skip or increase your dose unless you are told to do so by your doctor. If you miss a dose, do NOT double up on your medications; instead, take your next dose when it is due.

• If you are unable to take your medications for any reasons, call your doctor or nurse immediately.

• Do NOT take any over-the-counter medications until you check with your doctor. Some of these medications may interfere with your prescribed medications and could worsen your coronary artery disease.

• Try to get all of your medications from one pharmacy. This will decrease confusion for both you and the doctor when new medication is prescribed.


CAD TREATMENT



HOW IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE TREATED?

Treatment focuses on taking steps to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. Some risk factors you cannot control, such as your age and family history. Other risk factors you can control, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Lifestyle changes can help lower your risks. You may also need to take medication or have a procedure to open your arteries.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

• No Smoking

• Exercise Regularly

• Decrease Stress

• Limit Alcohol Consumption

• Eat a Balanced Diet


CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY



• Angioplasty is used to open blocked arteries. It is NOT major surgery. During angioplasty, the doctor guides a thin tube (called a catheter) into the narrowed artery and inflates a small balloon. This widens the artery to help restore blood flow. Often a small wire-mesh tube called a stent is placed to keep the artery open. The doctor may use a stent that is coated with medicine, called a drug-eluting stent. When the stent is in place, it slowly releases a medicine that prevents the growth of new tissue. This helps keep the artery open.

• Bypass Surgery, which IS major surgery, may be used if arteries are severely narrowed or blocked. It uses healthy blood vessels to create detours around the narrowed or blocked arteries.

It is also important to keep track of any irritants that make your symptoms worse:

• Respiratory infections

• Exercise

• Changes in the weather

• Indoor or Outdoor pollution

• Exposure to cigarette smoke

• Exposure to things that cause allergies

• Chemicals or other irritants at work

• Worry or stress

Please let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms.


MY CARE TEAM

My doctor is: Phone #:

Cardiologist: Phone #:

Pharmacy: Phone #:

Hospital:

Cardiac Rehab: Phone #:

Dietician: Phone #:

Care Manager: Phone #:414.771.6177




BLOOD PRESSURE/PULSE RECORD



NAME:DATE TIME BLOOD

PRESSURE

PULSE DATE TIME BLOOD

PRESSURE

PULSE


MY MEDICATION RECORD



NAME:

MEDICATION DOSE FREQUENCY LAST DOSE TAKENPRESCRIPTION


Going to your doctor can be overwhelming at times and can make you nervous. You may forget what you want to ask and/or forget what your doctor tells you. Use this sheet to write down your questions.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR



1.YOUR QUESTION

THE ANSWER

2.YOUR QUESTION

THE ANSWER

3.YOUR QUESTION

THE ANSWER

Coronary Artery Disease Management - Trilogy Health Insurance · Coronary Artery Disease Management...

Documents

Transcript of Coronary Artery Disease Management - Trilogy Health Insurance · Coronary Artery Disease Management...