Cardiovascular Diseases

Hypertension

• Increased blood pressure

• Hypertension may be transient or persistent

Primary or essential hypertension

Risk factors include diet, obesity, age, race, heredity, stress, and smoking

Secondary Hypertension

Due to identifiable disorders, including excessive renin secretion, arteriosclerosis, and endocrine disorder

Hypotension

• Orthostatic hypotension: Temporary low BP and dizziness when suddenly rising from a sitting or reclining position

• Chronic hypotension: Hint of poor nutrition and warning sign for Addison’s disease

• Acute hypotension: Important sign of circulatory shock

  • Threat to patients undergoing surgery and those in intensive care units

Strokes

Due to hyper tension or clots

• transient ischemia attack (TIA) may act as a warning

Myocardial Infarct

• Heart Attack

  • Myocardium tissue dies due to lack of blood and is replaced by scar tissue

  • Due to many underlying factors which cause atherosclerosis

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate; fibrillation

Bradycardia

Slowed heart rate

Valve malfunction

Allows backflow, many causes

Heart Failure

• Ability of heart to pump blood is compromised

  • Leads to fluid accumulation in tissues