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Chapter Fifteen
Cardiovascular Health
The Cardiovascular System
• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in
the United States
• Heart attacks and strokes are the most common lifethreatening types of heart diseases
• Much of these incidences are due to lifestyle concerns
Characteristics of the Heart
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4 chambered pump (atria, ventricles)
Size of a fist
Weighs about 1 pound
Function - creates pressure to circulate blood
throughout the body
• Blood enters via the Vena Cava into the right
atrium (see Figure 15-2 on blood circulation)
Heart Beat Stimulation
• Signal sends impulses from the heart
• SA node (pacemaker of the heart) creates an
electrical impulse
• An electrical impulse spreads from the right side to
the left (ECG)
• The pace of the heart is regulated by the brain
Risk Factors for Heart Disease That
Can Be Changed (AHA)
• Tobacco Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• High cholesterol (Figure
15-2)
• Hypertension
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Obesity and Overweight
Reference: American Heart Association
Contributing Risk Factors for Heart
Disease That Can Be Changed
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High Triglyceride Levels
Stress
Chronic hostility and Anger
Type D Personalities
Depression/Anxiety
Social Isolation
Low socioeconomic status
Major Risk Factors That Cannot Be
Changed
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Heredity
Aging
Being Male
Ethnicity
Possible Risk Factors Currently
Being Studied
• Inflammation and CReactive Protein
• Insulin Resistance and
Metabolic Syndrome
• Homocysteine
• Infectious agents
• Lipoprotein (A)
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LDL Particle size
Fibrinogen
Blood viscosity and Iron
Uric acid
Major Forms of Cardiovascular
Disease
• CAD (coronary artery disease)
• Atherosclerosis: build up of plaque on the arteries
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Congestive heart failure
Hypertension
• Blood pressure exceeds a systolic (pressure at
contraction) over 140 mm/hg and/or a diastolic
(pressure between contraction) over 90 mm/hg
• Symptoms – the “silent killer” (no symptoms)
• Diagnosis – regular checks of resting blood pressure
(average blood pressure < 120/80)
• Treatment – medication, exercise, dietary changes)
• A cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease
Atherosclerosis
• Atheroschlerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries)
• Arteries become narrow due to plaque buildup
• This process deprives blood and vital oxygen to
specific organs, such as the heart, brain, etc.
• Results in the following:
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
*Atherosclerosis often begins during childhood
Heart Attack
• Damage to vessels of the coronary artery
• Principal cause – atherosclerosis (narrowing of artery)
– Myocardial infarction: heart attack
• Caused by a coronary thrombosis
• When the need for oxygen exceeds the supply, the result is chest
pain called angina pectoris
Recognizing and Treating a Heart
Attack
• Symptoms – shortness of breath,
long-term chest pain (angina),
numbness in the left side of face
and arm
• Diagnosis – ECG, angiogram, MRI
• Surgical Treatment – bypass,
angioplasty, heart transplant
• Non-surgical Treatment- platelet
inhibitors, aspirin, alcohol
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is considered an emergency response for
heart attack emergencies
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)
• Blood supply to the brain is cut off
• Types –ischemic strokes (blockage),
hemorrhagic strokes (ruptures)
• Diagnosis – CT scan, MRI
• Treatment – clot dissolving drug therapy (TPAs)
Congestive Heart Failure
• Swollen heart due to the lack of strength known
as Pulmonary edema
• Causes – various causes from other illnesses to
damaging heart to existing injury to the heart
• Treatment – drugs, modified lifestyle
Other Forms of Heart Disease
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Congenital Heart Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Heart Valve Disorders
Protecting Yourself Against
Cardiovascular Disease
• Eat Heart-Healthy
• Decrease Fat and
Cholesterol Intake
• Increase Fiber Intake
• Moderate the amount of
alcohol consumption
• Decrease Sodium and
increase Potassium
Intake
• Exercise Regularly
• DASH (Dietary
Approaches to Stop
Hypertension)
• Avoid Tobacco
• Know and manage your
Blood Pressure
• Know and manage your
Cholesterol levels
• Develop ways to handle
stress and anger
Chapter Fifteen
Cardiovascular Health