So, if LVN’s in California can’t push cardiac meds, is there a point to becoming ACLS certified?
In a word, ABSOLUTELY!! Because Advanced Cardiac Life Support is a team effort, with each team member assigned specific tasks, there is much more involved than just pushing cardiac meds. If you search around job boards (Monster, Indeed.com, etc), you will see that many job postings prefer the LVN to be ACLS certified within the first year of employment. I just saw a job posting today for an LVN at Bakersfield Heart Hospital that requires their LVN’s to be ACLS certified. Even though LVN’s are being grossly underutilized (mostly due to silly politics), they are still critical in trauma settings. Whether a patient comes in with Acute Coronary Syndrome, Angina Pectoris, or other cardiac problem, it’s critical that the LVN’s at any Emergency Department have their Advanced Life Support skills up to date. In my own opinion, I think it would give LVN’s a boost if ACLS was a component in all of the LVN Programs in California!
As a general rule, knowing Advanced Cardiac Life Support will help you get a higher LVN salary, if you end up landing a job in a hospital.
LVN’s, ACLS, & Angina Pectoris Syndrome
Angina pectoris syndrome is a medical condition that involves chest pain caused mainly due to inadequate blood supply to the heart. Under normal conditions the heart gets blood supply from coronary arteries. These arteries carry oxygenated blood to the heart so that the heart can carry on pumping efficiently. Inadequate blood supply results in a situation where the heart cannot function properly, causing a series of symptoms. Many consider angina pectoris to be a symptom of an underlying condition. Angina pectoris symptoms include a feeling as if someone is squeezing the chest, pain in the center of the chest, a heavy feeling or even pain that travels to the shoulders, neck, arms, upper abdomen or jaw. Other symptoms that may accompany the condition are shortness of breath, queasiness, profuse sweating, nervousness and irregular heart beat.
Angina pectoris is mainly classified into two types – stable and unstable. Stable angina pectoris is more common and includes regular but less acute episodes that begin to form a pattern. These episodes occur in short bursts and last for less than five minutes. Unstable angina pectoris is less common but is generally more acute. The discomfort and pain are higher and while the patient feels as if he is having a heart attack, the two conditions are not the same.
An important aspect of understanding angina pectoris definition is an understanding of the cause of the condition. The main cause of the condition is considered to be a lack of adequate blood supply. However, this can be caused due to various reasons. A coronary heart disease or a coronary artery disease is the most common cause of inadequate blood supply. Other causes include spasmodic muscles that result in temporary blockage of blood supply, atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, inflammation or injury of the arteries and sometimes even extreme physical exercise, emotional stress and reduced oxygen.
As in most cases, angina pectoris treatment is also decided based on the severity of the symptoms and the frequency of the episodes. Immediate care for someone going through an attack involves giving oxygen through a face mask or a tube, aspirin and one IV line. While the exact medicines that are used depend on the specific case, various medications may be used to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Medications like beta blockers, nitroglycerine, and calcium channel blockers, aspirin, statins and other anti-anginal medicines may be used. In case these medicines do not help, angioplasty may be recommended.
The heath condition is best managed by ensuring that the episodes do not occur frequently. For this certain lifestyle changes are required. Smoking should be given up completely and alcohol should also be consumed in moderate quantities. There is also a need to control blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, control diabetes and reduce the consumption of caffeine. Starting on a heart healthy diet and exercise is also required.
Angina pectoris is not a condition that necessarily leads to a heart attack and death. Prognosis is good as long as specific changes are made in lifestyle to ensure healthy living. Some believe that angina pectoris syndrome can be reversed with regular exercise and healthy eating habits.