Cardiovascular Disease Coach Childress Health and PE Fall 2017

Cardiovascular Disease The heart, blood, and blood vessels are at risk for a number of potentially serious diseases. A noncommunicable disease is a disease that is not transmitted by another person, a vector, or the environment. One of the most common noncommunicable diseases is cardiovascular disease (CVD) – a disease that affects the heart or blood vessels. Cardio refers to the heart and vascular refers to the blood vessels. A problem in just one part of the system can jeopardize your health. Cardiovascular Disease

Types of Cardiovascular Disease

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can damage the heart, blood vessels, and other body organs if it continues over a long period of time. It is also a major risk factor for other types of CVDs. Because hypertension often has no symptoms in its early stages, it is sometimes called the “silent killer”. Hypertension can occur at any age, but it is more common among people over the age of 35. It is estimated that about 1/3 of American adults have high blood pressure. To treat hypertension, patients should manage their weight, get adequate physical activity, and eat a nutritious diet. Medication for hypertension is also available. Hypertension

When you were born, the lining of your blood vessels were smooth and elastic. If you smoke, have high blood pressure, or have high cholesterol levels, fatty substances called plaque can build up on your artery walls. Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of plaque on the artery walls. People with atherosclerosis have a condition called arteriosclerosis, hardened arteries with reduced elasticity. The main cause of atherosclerosis is making unhealthful food choices, specifically foods that are high in fat and cholesterol. Sometimes a blood clot forms near plaque buildup and blocks the artery. If this artery supplies blood to the heart or the brain, a heart attack or stroke may result. Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis Athero – comes from a Greek word that means “gruel or formed with pus.” -sclerosis – “a thickening or hardening of a body part” The accumulation of plaque or pulpy fat in blood vessels is called atherosclerosis. Arterio – refers to an artery -sclerosis – “a thickening or hardening of a body part” When hardened arteries have lost their flexibility, it is called arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis

Every day you heart pumps about 100,000 times, moving blood to all parts of your body. Like every other organ in your body, it needs oxygen from the blood in order to function. When the blood supply to the heart is restricted, the heart does not get the oxygen it needs. Under these conditions, a heart attack can occur. The result can be heart muscle damage or even sudden death due to cardiac arrest. Diseases of the Heart

Diseases of the Heart (continued) Heart attack and cardiac arrest are not quite the same thing. Heart attack occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the heart. Cardiac arrest refers to where the heart stops beating in a rhythmic way due to an electrical problem with the heart. To diagnose and treat heart disease, doctors use several techniques. Diseases of the Heart (continued)

Chest pain that results when the heart does not get enough oxygen is called angina pectoris. This pain, which usually lasts from a few seconds to minutes, is a warning sign that the heart is temporarily not getting enough blood. Angina is usually caused by atherosclerosis and should be taken seriously. It can sometimes be treated with medication. Angina Pectoris

Irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia, happen when the heart skips a beat or beats very fast or very slowly. Arrhythmias are quite common and usually don’t cause any problems. However, some types are serious and should be checked by a doctor. In one type of arrhythmia, called a ventricular fibrillation, the electrical impulses that regulate heart rhythm become rapid or irregular. This is the most common cause of cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) are the only two ways to help someone suffering from a cardiac arrest. Arrhythmias

A heart attack occurs when a reduced or blocked blood supply damages the heart muscle. Many heart attacks are sudden and cause intense chest pain, but about 25% produce no symptoms or produce unusual symptoms, such as shortness of breath. Milder symptoms may be especially common among women. Anyone who experiences the following warning signs should call 911 immediately: Pressure, fullness, squeezing, or aching chest area. Pain spreading to arms, neck, jaw, abdomen, or back. Chest discomfort, with shortness of breath, lightheaded feeling, sweating, nausea, or vomiting. Heart Attack

Congestive Heart Failure This occurs when the heart gradually weakens and can no longer maintain its regular pumping rate and force. It can be caused by heart attack, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart valves defects, illegal drug use, or other factors. Congestive heart failure cannot be cured, but it can improve through continuous treatment, such as medication and practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors. Congestive Heart Failure

Cardiovascular disease can affect the brain as well as the heart. Sometimes an artery supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked or bursts, resulting in a stroke – an acute injury in which blood flow to the brain is interrupted. A stroke that occurs because of a burst blood vessel is called a cerebral hemorrhage. Stroke can cause problems such as paralysis. The damage depends on the size of the stroke and what part of the brain is deprived of oxygen. Stroke

Warning signs of stroke include severe headache, numbness on one side of the body, confusion, trouble walking, dizziness, and trouble seeing out of one or both eyes. Today, treatments exist that can stop a stroke as it is occurring. Drugs known as clot busters can break up a clot and restore the normal flow of blood to the brain. Stroke (Continued)

What Teens Need to Know CVD can begin during the teen years. Autopsy results on adolescents who died from causes other than CVD have found that 1 in 6 already had evidence of CVD. Those who had a history of known risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, were more likely to have blood vessel damage. A teen with damaged blood vessels may not experience any symptoms until later in adulthood, but the danger is already there. What Teens Need to Know

The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified several factors that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke (Figure 25.4) Unfortunately, there are also some risk factors that are unavoidable: Heredity: Children whose parents have CVD are more likely to develop CVD themselves. Gender: Men have greater risk than women to develop CVD and having heart attacks. However, research shows that older women are less likely than men of the same age to survive a heart attack. Age: The risk of CVD increases with age. Approximately 80% of people who die from CVD are 65 and older. Risk Factors