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3.1.2 Cardiovascular Disease (Risk Factors (High blood pressure (cause…
3.1.2 Cardiovascular Disease
Risk Factors
High blood pressure
cause excess strain on the arteries, as arteries are narrowed due to buildup of plaque - cholesterol, fatty deposits
Smoking
harmful substances in tobacco cause narrowing of blood vessels; risk factor for atherosclerosis ("furring" of arteries)
High cholesterol
blood vessels narrow, increased risk of a blood clot
Diabetes
blood vessels more likely to become damaged and become narrower
Obesity
risk factor for high blood pressure and diabetes
Age
increased risk after the age of 50
Gender
males are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease
Excessive consumption of alcohol
increase blood pressure
Ethnic Background
more likely to have cardiovascular disease if from a South Asian, Caribbean or African background
Thrombosis (blood clot in vein or artery)
prevents blood supply reaching heart muscle, if clotting in coronary artery
Problems for Individuals, and Possible Solutions
psychological impact e.g. depression and anxiety
psychological therapy, anti-depressants, medicines, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), support groups
cognitive impact e.g. difficulty with communication, memory, concentration
rehabilitation programs, therapy
movement problems
physiotherapy, rehabilitation program, occupational therapy to adapt home and make things easier to use
close ones also affected
adapt to new needs of person, provide emotional support, be patient with them
cardiac rehabilitation programme (after heart surgery)
Coronary Heart Disease
Symptoms:
angina (chest pain)
myocardial infarction (heart attack)
heart failure
Treatments:
lifestyle changes e.g. stopping smoking, healthier diet, more exercise
Medicine:
Antiplatelets e.g. low dose aspirin, clopidogrel; thin blood to prevent clotting
Statins e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin; block formation of cholesterol and increase number of LDL receptors on liver to remove LDL cholesterol from blood
Beta blockers e.g. atenolol; block effect of hormone in body to slow heartbeat and improve blood flow
Nitrates; widen blood vessels and relax them to let more blood pass through them
surgery e.g. angioplasty, heart transplant
Causes:
build up of atheroma (fatty deposits) on walls of coronary arteries; makes arteries lower so blood flow is restricted to the heat; atherosclerosis
How to Reduce Risk
Stop smoking
Balanced diet
low fat, high fibre; avoid saturated fats and too much sugar
Regular exercise
make heart and circulatory system more efficient, lower blood cholesterol
Healthy weight
Consume less alcohol
Strokes
Treatments:
Medicine:
Thrombolysis: injection of alteplase to dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain (IS)
Antiplatelet e.g. aspirin: reduces chance of blood clotting again by thinning blood (IS)
Anticogulants e.g. warfarin: prevent blood clots by changing chemical composition of blood (IS)
Statins e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin; block formation of cholesterol and increase number of LDL receptors on liver to remove LDL cholesterol from blood (IS)
craniotomy: surgery to remove blood from brain and repair blood vessel
Symptoms:
Face drooping to one side, arms cannot be lifted, speech slurred
paralysis of one side of body
dizziness and confusion
Causes:
Ischaemic stroke (IS): blood clot blocks flow of blood and oxygen to the brain; normally clotting in arteries that have been narrowed or blocked by plaque
Haemorrhagic stroke (HS): blood vessel within skull bursts and bleeds into the brain, normally by high blood pressure
brain aneurysm (expansion of blood vessel like a balloon)
atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
Peripheral Arterial Disease
caused by blockage in arteries to the limbs , usually legs
can cause leg pain, leg weakness, persistent ulcers on feet and legs
atheroma (fatty deposits) build up on walls of arteries
Sammer Sheikh