Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

cvd

a general term that covers a numbers of diseases which affect the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart-failure and angina (chest pain)

coronary arteries

supply blood to the heart muscle. the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to function and oxygen-depleted blood must be CARRIED AWAY.

coronary arteries originate where?

aorta

causes of CVD

atherosclerosis

atherosclerosis

usually enhanced by diets high in saturated fats and cholesterol

angina pectoris

chest pain directly related to the heart. caused by coronary heart disease and ischemia

ischemia

occurs during exertion and/or stress. tissues and cells not receiving enough oxygen

myocardial infarction

heart attack

what is myocardial infarction?

heart muscle cell death. a condition caused by partial or complete occlusion of one or more of the coronary arteries

treatment for myocardial infarction

angioplasty and by-pass surgery

symptoms of m.i.

uncomfortable pressure, chest discomfort, syncope, anxiety, paleness, increased irregular heart rate, and feeling of impending down.

BP

the pressure or tension exerted on the arterial walls as blood pulses through them

SBP

pressure exerted on the arteries during the contraction phase of a heartbeat

DBP

the resting pressure on the arteries as the heart relaxes between contractions

equipment for bp

sphygmomanometer, bp cuff, stethoscope

normal bp

less than 120 and less than 80

elevated bp

120-129 and less than 80

high BP (hypertension) stage one

130-139 or 80-89

high BP (hypertension) stage two

140 or higher OR 90 or higher

hypertensive crisis

higher than 180 and/or higher than 120

hypertension

high blood pressure →>140/90

bp top number

systole = heart is contracting

bp bottom number

diastole = ventricles are relaxing

treatment for hypertension

reduce salt intake, ace inhibitors, calcium channel blockers

congestive heart failure

does not mean that the heart has failed, simply means the heart isn’t doing an efficient job.

congestive heart failure can be due to..

arteriosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, rheumatic fever or birth defect

congestive heart failure on the right side

right side collects deoxygenated blood returning from the body and sends it to the lungs. if it is failing, the blood backs up into the vena cava, and there are signs of edema especially in the lower extremities.

congestive heart failure on the right side

the left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the LUNGS and pumps it out into the BODY. if it is failing the blood is not pumped effectively and blood backs up in the PULMONARY VEINS causing congestion in the lungs.

thromboembolism

vascular disorder characterized by obstruction of blood vessels (arteries or veins) due to the formation of an embolus (movement of blood clot from one place to another place) which originates from a blood clot (thrombus).

aortic aneurysm

a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta. CAN CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING BLEEDING AND POSSIBLE DEATH.

cardiogenic shock

heart suddenly can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. ITS RARE BUT OFTEN DEADLY IF NOT TREATED RIGHT

unchangeable risk factors

age, sex, race, family history, personal medical history

changeable risk factors

hypertension, serum cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, cigeratte smoking, alcohol intake

cholesterol

a type of waxy fat found in the blood

LDL BAD

it has the tendency to increase the risk of cvd. levels should be <130

HDL GOOD

helps carry some of the bad cholesterol out of the body

physical activity

shown to decrease bp

cigarette smoking

increase in bp and usually have lower levels of HDL

alcohol consumption

small amounts can be good because it acts like a vasodilator.