1. concept of cardiovascular disease as non communicable disease.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Introduction
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): Aims to highlight the significance and scope of cardiovascular issues.
Noncommunicable Diseases
Definition: Impairs bodily structure/function, leading to long-term modifications in normal life.
Characteristics:
Permanent impairment
Residual disability
Non-reversible pathological alterations
Requires rehabilitation training
Necessitates prolonged supervision or care.
Statistics of Noncommunicable Diseases
Global Impact:
41 million deaths annually (74% of global deaths).
17 million individuals die before age 70 due to NCDs, primarily in low/middle-income countries (86% of premature deaths).
Significance of Cardiovascular Diseases
Leading cause of death (17.9 million deaths annually).
Types include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, among others.
80% of CVD deaths result from heart attacks and strokes, one-third under 70 years.
The Cardiovascular System
Anatomy
Components:
Heart (four chambers: atrium, ventricle)
Blood vessels (veins, arteries, capillaries)
Main arteries: Aorta, Coronary arteries, etc.
Function:
Transports blood, nutrients, and wastes throughout the body.
Blood Circulation Process
Oxygen-poor blood enters right atrium via vena cavae.
Blood is pumped to lungs through pulmonary arteries.
Oxygen-rich blood returns to left atrium via pulmonary veins and is pumped to the body via aorta.
Types of Cardiovascular Diseases
Coronary Heart Disease (CAD): Impaired heart function due to insufficient blood flow.
Cerebrovascular Disease: Includes stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Hypertensive Heart Disease: Complications arising from chronic high blood pressure.
Rheumatic Heart Disease: Damage from rheumatic fever affecting heart valves.
Congenital Heart Disease: Structural heart defects present at birth.
Cardiomyopathies: Diseases affecting heart muscle structure/function.
Coronary Heart Disease
Definition: Caused by atherogenesis (plaque build-up in coronary arteries).
Manifestations: Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, irregularities of the heart, cardiac failure.
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Occurs when blood supply is blocked, damaging heart muscle.
Symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats.
Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)
Definition: Develops rapidly due to vascular issues, lasting over 24 hours.
Types of Stroke:
Ischemic (thrombotic and embolic)
Hemorrhagic (due to rupture of blood vessels).
Warning Signs: Sudden weakness, loss of speech, vision issues.
Hypertension and Hypertensive Heart Disease
Hypertension: Chronic high blood pressure resultant from lifestyle and genetic factors.
Classification: Essential (unknown cause) vs. Secondary (due to known diseases).
Elevated blood pressure leads to various complications affecting the heart and vessels.
Types of Vascular Diseases
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD): Circulation disorders affecting vessels outside the brain/heart.
Functional PVD: No structural defects, symptoms may be recurrent.
Organic PVD: Structural changes present (e.g., peripheral artery disease).
Congenital Heart Disease
Definition: Structural anomalies of the heart present at birth.
Examples: Atrial septal defect, coarctation of the aorta.
Cardiomyopathy
Definition: Diseases affecting heart muscle, affecting pumping ability.
Types:
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Investigations for Cardiovascular Disease
Diagnostic methods include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Echocardiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Angiograms/Angiography
Surgical options like balloon angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery (CABG).