Who is most at risk from a cardiac catheterization?

Answer 1

older age (>55)

gender (M>F)

race

family history of Heart disease

atherosclerosis

dyslipidemia (high cholesterol, high LDL/HDL ratio, high triglycerides)

uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)

unconrolled Diabetes

elevated homocysteine, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen

smoking

physical inactivity

obesity

stress

Answer 2

in order to have an MI (myocardial infarcation, or heart attack) there MUST be a what is called an thrombosis, or a blockage. when the blockage breaks loose from the portion of the vein it has been lodged in, the MI occurs. after the clot is thrown it is referred to as an embolis. people at risk for a blockage include smokers, the sedentary, the overweight, high cholesterol due to genetics or poor diet. diagnosis w/atherosclerosis means there is plaque in the veins. (clogged arteries, "hardening" of the arteries) this is the same plaque that breaks off and causes MI's, PE's, and strokes. a clot can travel anywhere when it is thrown, not just to the heart causing an MI. when it travels to the brain, a stroke occurs. when it travels to the lungs, a PE occurs. ) pulmonary embolis. when drug users, mostly cocaine, take too much and have an MI, most of the time what really happened is their pulse got so high the heart actually exploded b/c it could not handle beating that fast or they went into a lethal rhythm such as V-tach or V-fib that must be treated immediately via defibrillation or death occurs. however, most of the time the explosion or lethal rhythm is induced by the drug itself, not an actual MI caused by a clot, although an MI could occur if the person had a blockage.

Answer 3

The risk factors are hereditary, sex, age, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high fibrinogen, stress, anger, high homeocysteine, oxidant damage, lack of physical activity, diabetes, obesity.

Answer 4

All human beings are (variably) at risk for cardiovascular disease. Those with a significant biologic family history are at risk, as are those who are obese, diabetic, or have a prior history of heart problems. Other conditions are predisposing, as well, such as infections (bacterial endocarditis), and inflammation (lupus carditis), and many more.

Behavors which increase the risk of CVD the most are; smoking, alcohol abuse and dependence, cocaine abuse and dependence, overeating (especially sugary and fatty foods, and especially in the form of overly processed foods), and lack of adequate exercise, as well as lack of adequate sleep.

Answer 5

The risks of the catheterization procedure increase in patients over the age of 60, those who have severe heart failure, or persons with serious valvular heart disease.