cardiac care/lab values

[lcazgirl]

Hello all!

I have a quick question...If a patient is experiencing cardiac problems (either ongoing or potential), what lab values would I need to look at and why. I hope that makes sense. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

L:heartbeat

[SEOBowhntr]

i'll add to this great list - thyroid function tests! many tachydysrhythmias can be caused by a hyperactive thyroids and be early 'storm.'

another thought for chest pain is to consider the old gall bladder! an amylase and lipase test would help to rule him out.

Good Point!!!

Elevated Thyroid Function Tests, or patients taking excessive doses of Synthroid (I've seen 4 this year), can have common Tachy Arrhythmias, most commonly Atrial Fibrillation and occasionally VT. Mild Thyroid Storm can also induce Prinzmetal's Angina, and cause patients to have mild MI's from Coronary Vasospasm when they have perfectly clean Coronaries. I've also seen this many times, sometimes due to an overactive Thyroid, sometimes, as was the case last week, patients who were prescribed too much Synthroid.

With the Gall Bladder, don't forget the LFT's.