Heart disorders

Stroke symptoms

• loss of balance & coordination 

• Changes in vision

• Face drooping

• Weakness in arms

• Slurred speech

• Headaches

Stroke causes

• Damages to blood vessels supplying the brain, rupture(hemorrhagic, 15%)/blockage (ischemic, 85%)

• 2 types of ischemic strokes

  • thrombotic: when blood clots develop in vessels inside the brain

  • embolic: clot that develops elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain

• 2 types of hemorrhagic strokes

  • intracerebral: bleeding from blood vessels within the brain

  • subarachnoid: bleeding in the space between the brain and the membranes that cover the brain

stroke diagnoses

• blood tests: checks how fast the blood clots and if blood sugar is too high/low

• physical exam: listen to heart, check BP, and neurological exams

• C.T. scans: x-rays of the brain looking for ischemic stroke and tumors

Stroke treatment

• clot removing drugs

• injection of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) which dissolves the clot

• blood thinner

Heart attack symptoms

• death of part of the muscle tissue in the heart due to lack of oxygen

• chest pian/pressure

• shortness of breath

• nausea

• sweating

• vomiting

• neck/shoulder/arm pain, usually left arm

heart attack diagnoses

• blood tests:

  • detects damaged cardiac muscle tissues

  • looking for inflammatory proteins

• ECG

  • test that detects abnormal heart rate

• Cardiac catheterization

  • minimally invasive procedure

  • insertion of catheter filled with dye

  • catheter threaded into partially blocked artery

  • dye can be seen on x-ray

  • extent on damage is based on how much dye is let through

Heart attack causes

• coronary artery obstruction by plaque/blood clots

• blood flow to the heart in reduces/cut off

• risk factors

  • lack of exercise

  • obesity

  • poor eating habits

  • chronically high BP/cholesterol

  • diabetes

  • genetics

  • smoking

  • stress

Heart attack treatment

• anti-clotting drug to prevent more blockage

• angioplasty

• coronary bypass surgery

Anemia symptoms

• Condition where body does not get enough red blood cells/hemoglobin to carry oxygen to your body's tissues

• Tiredness

• weakness

• shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Pale/Yellowish skin

• Cold hands and feet

• Irregular heart beat

anemia diagnoses

CBC is a blood test that measures various parts of your blood in a sample of blood. The different parts of your blood and what they look for include:

• Red blood cells, an increase of decrease in the amount of RBC per sample may be a sign of Anemia

• Low hematocrit levels 

• Higher or lower hemoglobin (iron rich protein in red blood cells) levels in blood 

Bone marrow sampling may be used in anemia testing to see if the bone marrow is healthy and producing the right amount of RBC. There are 2 types of bone marrow tests: 

• Aspiration test, where bone marrow fluid is collected through a needle 

• Biopsy test, bone marrow tissue is collected through a larger needle 

anemia causes

• age (people aged 65 and over are more at risk)

• heavy menstrual periods

• history with chronic disease (i.e. cancer, liver disease, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease)

• diet & inability to absorb  (lack of folate, B-12

anemia treatments

• Dietary supplements: 

• Iron supplements for iron deficiency anemia

• Vitamin supplements are provided for individuals with vitamin deficiency anemia (e.g. vitamin B12)

• Individuals with anemia may also require a diet that includes all the supplements they need (e.g. iron-rich diets)

• Blood transfusions: 

• Healthy blood is injected into your blood vessels, used to help anemia of chronic disease/aplastic anemia, blood loss during surgeries or provided when bone marrow does not produce enough RBC 

• Bone marrow transplant: 

• Bone marrow disease related anemia/aplastic anemia may require a bone marrow transplant, helps patient produce proper & healthy RBC 

Atherosclerosis symptoms

• Specific type of Arteriosclerosis

• Blockage of blood flow caused by plague (fat/calcium deposit) buildup. 

• Angina

• Slurred Speech

• Kidney failure 

• Chest discomfort during exercise or emotional stress.

• Leg cramps when walking.

Atherosclerosis diagnoses

• Blood test checking cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation markers.

• Ultrasound waves to see blockages and measure blood flow.

• comparing arm and ankle blood pressure to check leg arteries.

• Ct scans to find calcium and plaque buildup in heart

• Stress tests to see how the heart handles strain.
  

Atherosclerosis causes

• Buildup of plague that forms a blood clot blocking blood flow

• Some risks include lack of exercise, poor eating habits, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, 

• Too much stress.

• Tobacco products

Atherosclerosis treatment

• Change to a Healthy diet avoiding excess fats/sugars

• Exercise regularly

• Heart surgery 

• Aspirin and other cholesterol medicine

hypertension symptoms

• Consistent high blood pressure of 130/80mmHg or higher 

• headache

• nose bleeds

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

• Dizziness

• Seizures

• vision changes

hypertension diagnoses

• measuring BP

hypertension causes

• Being over age 55

• Having a history of the condition in your biological family

• Smoking or using tobacco products

• Having overweight/obesity

• Eating foods high in sodium

• Not getting enough physical activity

• Drinking too much alcohol

hypertension treatment

• medication

• life style changes

  • more exercise

  • nutritious foods

  • cut down on sodium

  • quit smoking

  • limit alcohol consumption

Varicose veins symptoms

• Veins that are dark purple, blue or the same color as the skin. Depending on skin color, these changes may be harder or easier to see.

• Veins that look twisted and bulging. They often look like cords on the legs.

• An achy or heavy feeling in the legs.

• Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs.

• Worse pain after sitting or standing for a long time.

• Itching around one or more of the veins.

• Changes in skin color around a varicose vein.

Varicose veins causes

• weak/damaged valves

• Normal aging.

• Standing for prolonged periods of time.

• Hormones.

• Excess weight.

Varicose veins diagnosis

• physical examination

Varicose veins treatment

• Elevation

• Elastic stocking

• injection/laser therapy