Heart Disease and Cardiac Catheterization - Paper | COM 115, Papers of Communication and Presentation Skills

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Sarah Peters Com 115- September 30, 2008 Heart Disease and Cardiac Catheterization Topic: Heart Disease and Cardiac Catheterization General Purpose: To Inform. Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about heart disease and cardiac catheterization. Thesis Statement: I want my audience to understand many of the causes and manifestations of heart disease, how cardiac catheterization is used as a diagnostic and interventional tool, and the specifics of this procedure. Introduction I. (Attention Getter) Who here knows what the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. is? II. (Reveal Topic) That’s right, I’m talking about heart disease. III. (Audience Adaptation) This is a subject that should be important to all of us because, according to “Verbal Testimony of the AHA…” given by Robert O. Bonow, president of the American Heart Association, found on the American Heart Association’s website www.americanheart.org, last accessed on September 30, 2008, “Every 33 seconds another American dies from a cardiovascular disease.” IV. (Establish Credibility) As an employee on the cardiac unit at Poudre Valley Hospital for the last two years, I have assisted in taking care of patients with all

types of heart conditions, as well as those undergoing cardiac catheterization and other procedures. V. (Preview Main Points) During my speech today I hope to inform you all about the causes and manifestations of heart disease, how cardiac catheterization is used as a diagnostic and interventional tool, and the specifics of this procedure. Body I. Heart disease affects many people around the world and can present at any age. A. According to Richard Forgoros, MD, in his article “What is Heart Disease” found on About.com, last updated September 17th, 2007; “The ultimate problem with all varieties of heart disease is that (…) they disrupt the vital pumping action of the heart.”

1. Many conditions fall into this category, including: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, stroke, rheumatic heart disease, and heart attacks.
2. Among the more serious of these conditions are coronary artery disease and heart attacks. a. In the book Heart Cath and Angioplasty by Magnus Ohman, MD et. al., they explain, “When the coronary arteries get blocked by disease, the blood supply to the heart is interrupted, resulting in chest pain or a heart attack.”
3. Some of the major factors that contribute to heart disease are age, genetics, gender, weight, physical inactivity, diabetes, stress, smoking, alcohol and other drugs.

Transition: Now I would like to talk about the many tests used to in diagnosing these conditions. II. There are many diagnostic tests that can determine the presence of heart disease. A. Some of the more common tests performed to diagnose heart conditions are EKG, stress testing, nuclear imaging, electrophysiological testing, and cardiac catheterization.

1. Many of these tests are done in combination with others in order to cover all aspects of the heart. B. One of the most common tests used is cardiac catheterization.
2. According to the WebMD article “Cardiac Catheterization,” last updated September 13th, 2007: “It is used to check blood flow in the coronary arteries, blood flow and blood pressure in the chambers of the heart, find out how well the heart valves work, and check for defects in the way the wall of the heart moves.” a. All of these findings can help to establish whether heart disease is present as well as the specific type of abnormality. Transition: Now that you understand the many ways to diagnose, I’d like to talk to you about a common treatment for many of these conditions. III. Cardiac Catheterization with angioplasty is also used as an intervention to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.

A. The procedure is usually done while the patient is awake, however they are given pain medicine first.

1. The first step involves the insertion of a small catheter into an artery, usually near the groin.
2. The tubing is then advanced up the artery and into the heart.
3. A dye is then released which, along with x-ray, provides an image of the blood flow, allowing identification of blocked or narrowed arteries.
4. If a problem is found, angioplasty is usually performed at that time. a. In the book Heart Cath and Angioplasty by Magnus Ohman, MD et.al. angioplasty is described as “a technique used to widen an artery that has become blocked or narrowed.” b. This means that a guide wire is pushed through the blockage, at which time a balloon is inflated in order to open up the passageway. c. Sometimes a metal stent will be placed at this time in order to ensure the artery stays open. C. Post-cath patients need extensive medical supervision for 4-8 hours after the procedure.
5. Once the procedure is finished, pressure must be applied to the insertion site immediately for 15-30 minutes.

2. Frequent monitoring of the site and the patients blood pressure by an RN is necessary. a. Bruising at the site is typical, however excessive swelling or pain can be a sign of internal bleeding which requires immediate attention.
3. During the recovery period, the patient must lie flat on their back and cannot move the appendage where the insertion site is.
4. After 4-8 hours of recovery the patient will have minimal pain and can resume normal activities while being cautious of the site for a few weeks. Conclusion I. (Signal Ending) While this obviously isn’t the most upbeat topic in the world, I think it is very important for us all to be informed. II. (Summarize) Hopefully you have all learned a few new things about heart disease, diagnostic tests, and cardiac catheterization. A. As I have told you, there are many factors, both preventable and unavoidable, that impact your chances of developing heart problems. B. Cardiac catheterization is a common and effective treatment. 1.While it is a serious procedure that requires strict medical oversight during recovery, the recovery period is fairly short. III. (Close with Impact) While we don’t like to think about it, the chances are great that all of us will know someone who will deal with heart disease in their lifetime,

if we don’t experience ourselves. Hopefully my speech today has helped each of you to be a little more prepared.

Work Cited Bonow, Robert. “Verbal Testimony of the AHA on the FY 2004 Funding Recommendation for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research Program By Robert O. Bonow, President, American Heart Association.” American Heart Association. 30 Sept. 2008. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml? identifier= “Cardiac Catheterization.” Web MD. 13 Sept. 2007. http://www.webmd.com/heart- disease/cardiac-catheterization Fogoros, Richard N., MD. “What is Heart Disease.” About.com. 17 Sept. 2007. http:// heartdisease.about.com/od/coronaryarterydisease/a/heartdisease.htm Ohman, Magnus, MD, et. al., Heart Cath and Angioplasty. Canada: Wiley, 2003.