Common Diseases of the Blood Blood-Forming Organs

Hypertension, description

high arterial blood pressure, indicator of the development of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and kidney disease. Chronic disease. More than 120/90.

Hypertension, etiology

any disease of the kidneys, hereditary, diet, age, obesity, smoking, stress, and type A personality (experience more stress).

Hypertension, diagnosis

blood pressure screening, look at family history, physical examination, blood tests - LDL & HDL, ECG - action of the heart.

Hypertension, signs/symptoms

does not occur until significant heart and vessel damage has occurred. Left Ventricle Hypertrophy (muscle enlargement), leading to bouts of angina or chest pain due to ischemia. Then to Myocardial Infarction (heart failure, or death). Arteriosclerosis.

Hypertension, treatment

Extremely high Hypertension, antihypertensive medications. Mild Hypertension, lifestyle changes.

Hypertension, prevention

Lifestyle changes, Healthy Highlight

Arteriosclerosis, description

A group of disease that are characterized by a loss of elasticity and a thickening of the artery wall.

Arteriosclerosis, etiology

Unknown. Can be hereditary, age, sex, diabetes, Hypertension, diet, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and stress.

Arteriosclerosis, diagnosis

blood pressure measurement, arteriograms, x-ray, Doppler Studies (blood flow)

Arteriosclerosis, signs/symptoms

Appear late, vary depending on area affected.

Arteriosclerosis, treatment

Reduce symptoms. Surgery - open arteries and remove plaque, Endarterectomy.

Arteriosclerosis, prevention

exercise, estrogen medication after menopause, and lifestyle changes.

Aneurysm, description

weakening in the wall of an artery that allows the vessel to bulge or rupture.

Aneurysm, etiology

often due to Atherosclerosis, but also due to a congenital defect or injury.

Aneurysm, diagnosis

physical exam, stethoscope, MRI & CT scans.

Aneurysm, signs/symptoms

Asymptomatic. Rupture of aneurysm → death because massive hemorrhagic and shock.

Aneurysm, treatment

Aimed to repair before it ruptures. Surgical resection and grafting.

Aneurysm, prevention

Prevent Atherosclerosis and Hypertension = Prevent Aneurysm. Congenital Aneurysms = Cannot be Prevented.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), description

CHD, narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the Myocardium, heart muscle. Leading cause of death in the U.S.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), etiology

Due to Atherosclerosis.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), diagnosis

history of the symptoms, ECG, and angiograms

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), signs/symptoms

ischemia of heart muscle, and symptoms of angina. Thrombus (a blood clot attached to a vein or artery). Collateral arteries. Symptoms do not appear until the vessels are severely occluded.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), treatment

Increase blood flow and Decrease oxygen needs. Coronary artery angioplasty (surgical repair of the vessel). CAD (coronary artery bypass graft, CABG).

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), description

Myocardium (heart muscle) and Infarction (tissue death from lack of oxygen). Commonly called Heart Attack → Cardiac Arrest → Stopping of the heartbeat.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), etiology

Heart Muscle does not get adequate oxygen due to a decrease in blood supply, shock, stress, hemorrhage, excessive physical exertion.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), diagnosis

history, physical exam, electrocardiogram, blood testing, CPK (specific cardiac blood tests of MI) and troponin.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), signs/symptoms

severe chest pain, diaphoresis (sweating), nausea, “flu-like”, pain/discomfort in one or both arms, the back, stomach. Shortness of breath with or without chest pain, cold sweat, and light headedness.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), treatment

prevent shock, relieve respiratory distress, decrease workload of the heart, oxygen and pain medicaiton.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), prevention

same for CAD, lifestyle changes, obesity, and high-cholesterol.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), description

Heart fails to pumps an adequate amount of blood to meet the body’s demands. The cardiopulmonary and general vascular systems gradually become congested.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), etiology

Develops slowly. Any Cardiac condition that increases the workload of the heart, MI, Hypertension, CAD, and rheumatic heart disease.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), diagnosis

history, physical examination, check for symptoms of shortness of breath and edema, x-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), signs/symptoms

gradual shortness of breath, tachycardia, rapid breathing. CHF progresses, fluid builds up in the vascular system → neck distention and edema of ankles and legs.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), treatment

decrease workload of the heart, diuretic medication, low-salt diet & fluid restrictions, cardiac medication.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), prevention

smoking cessation, weight control, diet modification, and regular exercise.

Cardiomyopathy, description

Cardio (heart), Myo (muscle), Pathy (disease). Heart muscle disease, deterioration of the function of the myocardium. Cardiomyopathy can be classified as primary or secondary. Three main types of secondary cardiomyopathy: Dilated, common, heart is enlarged (dilated), weak, does not pump properly = heart failure. Hypertrophic, inherited, heart muscle enlargement (hypertrophy) = heart valves leak. Restrictive, least common, rigid muscle tissue = hard to fill heart with blood, seen in elders.

Cardiomyopathy, etiology

Idiopathic (unknown). Maybe alcoholism

Cardiomyopathy, diagnosis

history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray

Cardiomyopathy, signs/symptoms

common symptoms for all types of Cardiomyopathy include heart failure, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling of feet and legs.

Cardiomyopathy, treatment

Incurable, often lead to CHF, MI, and death. Relieve symptoms: diuretic medications, heart medications, and changes in lifestyle.

Cardiomyopathy, prevention

Cannot be prevented. Treatment can prevent worsening of the disease.

Carditis, description

A general term. Inflammation of the heart. Include Pericarditis, Myocarditis, and Endocarditis.

Carditis, etiology

Unknown. Maybe bacteria or viruses, or as a result of rheumatic fever. Dental Infections.

Carditis, diagnosis

history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, and x-ray.

Carditis, signs/symptoms

they vary, depending on the site and cause. Varying degrees of chest pain.

Carditis, treatment

bed rest to decrease the workload of the heart, antibiotics, analgesics, and antipyretics.

Carditis, prevention

depending on cause, many preventable with accurate diagnosis and treatment of the cause.

Valvular Heat Disease, description

Malfunction of hear valves. Valves in heart and vascular system = prevent backflow of the blood. Backflow causes extra workload on the heart, because the heart has to re-pump the blood.

Valvular Heat Disease, etiology

congenital anomalies or malformations, rheumatic fever, or endocarditis.

Valvular Heat Disease, diagnosis

physical examination of the heart murmur and lung congestion. Chest x-ray and ECG.

Valvular Heat Disease, signs/symptoms

chest pain, edema (swelling) in the ankles, heart palpitations, dizziness, and weakness. Severe symptoms DOES NOT equal to severe disease.

Valvular Heat Disease, treatment

Depends on severity of disease. Antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, anticoagulants, and diuretics. Open heart surgery if medications do not work.

Valvular Heat Disease, prevention

no smoking, healthy diet, and daily exercise.

Phlebitis, description

Phleb (vein), Itis (inflammation). Inflammation of superficial (near the skin surface) veins. Especially in arms and legs.

Phlebitis, etiology

Unknown. Can include injury, obesity, poor circulation, prolonged bed rest, and infection.

Phlebitis, diagnosis

Physical examination of veins in the legs. Ultrasound to determine the extent of the disease, clots, and blockage of blood flow.

Phlebitis, signs/symptoms

pain, swelling, and often, the appearance of a red cord-like hardening that extends along the vein from the area of injury upward toward the heart. “Milk Leg” of mothers after childbirth.

Phlebitis, treatment

analgesics and warm compresses to reduce pain and improve circulation. Elevation of the area above the heart.

Phlebitis, prevention

moderate physical exercise to maintain circulation and muscle tone, avoid smoking, and sitting for long periods of time.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), description

occurs lower legs, thighs, and pelvis. Clots occurring in the femoral and pelvic veins, commonly embolize (embolus).

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), etiology

immobility, dehydration, obesity, pregnancy, varicose veins, leg or pelvic surgery.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), diagnosis

Homan’s test (toes toward knee = pain = DVT), ultrasonography, or ultrasound imaging veins.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), signs/symptoms

Asymptomatic until embolization occurs, → pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is often fatal.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), treatment

reduce formation of more clots and preventing embolization. Bed rest with elevation; anticoagulants, decrease potential thrombus, will not dissolve clots, only prevent formation of new ones.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), prevention

healthy lifestyle, proper body weight, exercising, and not smoking. Wearing graduated elastic compressions = when prolonged sitting or standing = preventative measure.

Varicose Veins, description

Dilated, tortuous, and elongated veins commonly found in the legs. Valves are necessary to prevent backflow of blood, With varicose veins, the flow of the blood is slowed, blood collects in the veins, or both, causing increased pressure on the walls = incompetent valves.

Varicose Veins, etiology

Any activity that slows return flow and increases venous pressure. Prolonged sitting, standing, pregnancy, hereditary, and obesity.

Varicose Veins, diagnosis

look at veins in legs. Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow.

Varicose Veins, signs/symptoms

leg fatigue, leg cramps, veins become thick, hardened, and unsightly. Poor venous blood = edema and congestion of fluid in the extremities. Stasis dermatitis and ulceration.

Varicose Veins, treatment

Improve vascular flow. Elevate legs, walking, and using support or elastic hose. Surgery to relieve discomfort and avoid recurrent thrombosis.

Varicose Veins, prevention

Wearing compression stockings, regularly elevating the legs above heart level, avoid prolonged standing or sitting, controlling weight, and not smoking.