90 likes | 507 Views
Cardiovascular Disease. Importance of cardiovascular disease People in developed countries are living longer Due to better nutrition, preventative medicines and treatment for disease. Cardiovascular disease is more common in older people
E N D
Importance of cardiovascular disease • People in developed countries are living longer • Due to better nutrition, preventative medicines and treatment for disease. • Cardiovascular disease is more common in older people • Changes in lifestyle (reduced physical activity, changes in diet etc) Cardiovascular Disease
Influenced by: • Age: increases with age • Gender: men develop earlier • Diet: Saturated animal fats • High Blood Cholesterol Level • High Blood Pressure • Overweight: increases strain on heart/lungs • Smoking: 5x more likely, constricts blood vessels, decreases carrying cap of blood • Excessive Alcohol Consumption: hypertension, strain on heart • Physical Inactivity • Heredity Cardiovascular Disease
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) • the most common cause of CV disease • Consistent high blood pressure will cause the heart to pump harder, damage arteries and accelerate accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries. • Caused by: • Diet (obesity, high salt level, high alcohol level) Cardiovascular Disease
Common CV Diseases: Arteriosclerosis • Deterioration of the artery walls (hardening of the arteries) • Loss of elasticity, narrowed diameter. • May cause atherosclerosis: roughening / obstruction of artery walls • Deposition of fatty substances (plaque) inside artery walls • Plaque aids development of fibrous tissue which becomes exposed to blood which deposit calcium salts, further hardening the artery walls Cardiovascular Disease
Common CV Diseases: Coronary Heart Disease • Atherosclerosis of coronary arteries (fat reduces blood flow) • Angina: pain or sensation of heaviness in the chest at times of physical stress. No damage to heart tissue • Heart Attack: (myocardial infarction) caused by blood flow ceasing completely, heart tissue dies. • Cardiac arrest: Due to heart attack, if damage disturbs rhythm of heart beat, heart pumps little or no blood and death occurs within minutes. Cardiovascular Disease
Common CV Diseases: Stroke • Due to atherosclerosis of blood vessels supplying blood to brain (cerebral arteries) • Part of brain receives insufficient oxygen and nervous tissue dies. Peripheral Vascular Disease • CV disease affecting vessels in limbs • Arteriosclerosis • Phlebitis (inflammation of vein – leads to blood clots) • Varicose Veins (enlarged and lengthened veins allowing accumulation of blood in lower limbs Cardiovascular Disease