Download Circulatory Disorders and Technologies

Diagnosis and Treatment
 When a person enters an
emergency ward with a
heart or cardiovascular
problem, there are
procedures to be
followed.
Diagnosis and Treatment
 First, a blood sample is
taken to test if there are
proteins present that
indicate heart damage.
 Then the patient is hooked
up to an
electrocardiograph which
monitors the electrical
impulses in the heart and
provides a printout called
an electrocardiogram
(ECG) that shows if the
heart is beating normally.
Heart Attacks
 A heart attack is caused
by blockage of the
coronary arteries, the
arteries that bring blood
to the heart muscle
tissue.
 The first step in
treatment is to take anticlotting drugs to prevent
any further blockage.
Heart Attacks
 Next, oxygen is given to
ensure enough is
reaching all the cells of
the body.
 The doctor will then read
the ECG which tells
him/her where the heart
muscle has been
damaged, but not the
extent of the damage.
Heart Attacks
 To get more information,
the doctor performs a
cardiac catheterization:
1. A catheter is inserted
in an artery in the groin
or arm area.
2. X-ray dye is injected
into the catheter and it
is guided along the
artery to the blockage.
Heart Attacks
 Once at the blockage,
another procedure, called
angioplasty, occurs:
1. A deflated balloon is
inserted into the catheter
and guided to the
blockage.
2. At the blockage, it is
inflated, allowing normal
blood flow.
3. A stent is usually left in
place to ensure the artery
does not narrow again.
Bypass Surgery
 An alternative treatment
to angioplasty is bypass
surgery.
 Much more complicated
and invasive procedure.
 A piece of a vein from
another region of the
body is attached to the
clogged artery in order to
bypass the clog.
Other Heart Problems
Heart Disease Category
Description
Coronary Artery Disease
Blockage of the arteries that supply the
heart muscle with oxygen (i.e. a heart
attack)
Arrhythmias
Malfunctions of the electrical system
that controls heartbeat
Valve Disorders
Dysfunction of one of the heart valves
Heart Muscle Disease
Inflammation or infection of the heart
muscle itself
Causes of Heart Disease/Problems
 The main factors in
causing heart disease
are:
1. Obesity/Poor Diet
2. Smoking
3. Physical Inactivity
4. Diabetes
5. Heredity (DNA)
Prevention
 Basically to ensure a
healthy heart, avoid
smoking, eat right and
exercise daily.
 These changes to a
person’s lifestyle may be
recommended by a
doctor if they survive a
heart attack or heart
disease.