Heart Diseases Arrhythmias Altered heart rhythm Fibrillation small

Heart Diseases

Arrhythmias Altered heart rhythm Fibrillation: small area of heart contracts in a chaotic fashion. Atrial fibrillation not so serious Ventrical fibrillation is serious-messes up pumping of blood to body and lungs.

Arrhythmia Tachycardia- rapid heart beat Bradycardia-slow heart beat

Blood Vessel Disorders Atherosclerosis: fatty materials like cholesterol deposit on arterial walls forming plaques. Plaques can be sites for blood clots to form. This decreases blood flow, and makes arteries less stretchy and hard.

Blood Vessel Disorders Sclerotic vessels can rupture causing strokes, or prevent flow of blood downstream of clots causing tissue to die.

Blood Vessel Disorders Aneurysms: weakened artery from atherosclerosis creates a sac that can press on nearby organs or rupture. Phlebitis: Inflammation of veins Varicose veins: abnormal dilations of veins near surface of legs.

Hypertension High Blood Pressure: BP above 120/80 Can be caused by arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis Can cause strokes, cerebral vascular attack (CVA) or ischemic attack (TVA)

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Coronary Arteries that feed the heart are blocked by atherosclerosis Angina Pectoris: symptom of CAD= pain in the chest under sternum. Can cause myocardial infarction=heart attack.

Test and Treatments for CAD ECG-painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Coronary Angiography: special dye and xrays to see inside coronary arteries to look for blockage of blood flow.

Test and Treatments Coronary angioplasty: catheter is sent up the femoral artery into the coronary arteries bringing a balloon to inflate to stretch the artery. Sometimes a stint is inserted to help keep the artery opened. Coronary bypass surgery: blocked artery is bypassed using another artery from the body

Heart Attack (myocardial infarction, MI) Heart does not get enough oxygen and heart cells die-most common cause is atherosclerosis. Ventricular fibrillations can cause MI

Symptom of Heart Attack Chest pain or discomfort. center or left side of the chest, can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. Upper body discomfort. pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach. Shortness of breath. when resting or doing a little bit of physical activity. Breaking out in a cold sweat Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially if you are a woman) Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and vomiting Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

Risk Factors for Heart Disease Smoking High blood pressure High blood cholesterol Overweight and obesity An unhealthy diet (for example, a diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium) Lack of routine physical activity High blood sugar due to insulin resistance or diabetes