Cardiovascular Diseases

Question 1

what are the 7 cardiovascular diseases covered

Answer 1

1. coronary artery disease (CAD)
2. hypertension (high blood pressure)
3. Myocardial Infraction (Heart Attack)
4. Stroke
5. Aneurysm
6. Heart Valve Complications
7. Congenital Heart Defects

Question 2

what is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Answer 2

• plaque builds up in coronary arteries
• plaque is made of cholesterol deposits with other substances
• over time: the plaque buildup narrows the arteries
• the plaque-building-up process is called atherosclerosis

Question 3

symptoms + risk + related of CAD

Answer 3

symptomes:
1. angina (chest pain)
2. shortness of breath
3. weak, light-headed

risk: can lead to a heart attack
related: peripheral artery disease (PAD): buildup of plaque in other arteries

Question 4

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Answer 4

a major risk factor for developing other cardiovascular diseases

Question 5

Myocardial Infraction (Heart Attack)

Answer 5

• when atherosclerosis (builds up in arteries) cuts off blood flow to the heart muscle
• this blockage cuts off the oxygen to the heart muscle cells
• can result in cardiac arrest: the heart suddenly stops functioning

Question 6

stroke

Answer 6

• when blood flow to the brain is stopped or restricted
• considered a cardiac disease because it is a problem with blood flow

Question 7

Aneurysm

Answer 7

• when an artery wall becomes weak and “bulges” outward
• usually in the brain or abdominal aorta
• more common in females
• risky bc it can rupture and bleed
• will be monitored and may require surgery

risk factors:
1. smoking
2. high blood pressure
3. family history

Question 8

Heart Valve Complications

Answer 8

when valves dont open and close like they should

stenosis: when the heart valves dont open wide enough. this prevents them from allowing enough blood to pass through

regurgitation: when the valve doesnt close properly and blood flows back into the previous chamber or continue to leak into the next chamber when its not supposed to

heart valve complications make the heart less efficient and result in a decrease in oxygen being transported to cells

Question 9

Congenital Heart Defects

Answer 9

conogenital: present at birth
1 in 4 require surgery b4 child turns 1
ex: atrial septal defect: hole that doesnt close in the openings in the wall dividing the upper chamber

hole = more blood flow = damage to blood vessels = high blood pressure = lung / heart failure = abnormal heartbeat = increased risk of stroke

“As a baby’s heart develops during pregnancy, there are normally several openings in the wall dividing the upper chambers of the heart (atria). These usually close during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
If one of these openings does not close, a hole is left, and it is called an atrial septal defect. The hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs and over time, it may cause damage to the blood vessels in the lungs. Damage to the blood vessels in the lungs may cause problems in adulthood, such as high blood pressure in the lungs and heart failure. Other problems may include abnormal heartbeat, and increased risk of stroke.”