CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND DISORDERS

The cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels,
nourishes every part of your body, Blood is the mixture of fluids
and cells that carry nourishments to the body tissue.

BLOOD
Blood looks hemogenous but it consists of formed elements
(red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) and plasma (a
straw-colored solution of protein and water that makes up
more than half the volumn of blood). Red blood cells carry
oxygen from the lungs to the body tissue. Carbon dioxide is
transported from the cells back to the lungs where it is
dispersed into the air. There are 27 million* red blood cells.
White blood cells are scavengers and defenders. Whenever
the body has a wound, damaged tissue or is fighting off an
infection, white blood cells invade the area and destroy
bacteria and debris and help the damaged area heal. White
blood cells also produce antibodies. There are 25000-50000*
white blood cells. A sympton of many diseases is a change in
the WBC. It will increase in persons with Leukemia and decrease
in some viral diseases. Platelets help blood clot. There are
750000-175000* platelets in the blood. (*per teaspoon)

HEART
The heart is a large, hallow, muscular organ containing four
chambers. The heart lies between the lungs and directly
behind the sternum. An average adult heart is about the
size of a clenched fist and beats 60-90 times a minute. The
right atrium receives blood from the veins of the body, the
right ventricle pumps the blood through the lungs to exchange
carbon dioxide for oxygen. This newly released blood then
returns to the left atrium which pumps it into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle has the responsibility has the responsibility
for pumping blood through the aorta to the rest of the body.

BLOOD VESSELS
Blood vessels are classified according to their size, function and
physical makeup. THere are large or elastic arteries, medium
size or muscular arteries, small arteries, aterioles, capillaries,
small veins enules and veins. Arteries receive blood from the
heart and circulate it to body tissue. Arteries subdivide into
smaller vessels and ultimately into tiny vessels. It is through the
capillary walls that nutrients pass to the tissues and the waste
products from the tissues and cells enter the blood. The veins
and venules then carry this "used" blood back to the heart to be
recycled through the lungs for rejuvenation and subsequently
circulated through the body. Only in the pulmonary system (which
carries used blood from the heart to the llungs and then back to the
heart) does a vein carry oxygenated blood and an artery carry
de-oxygenated blood.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

ANEMIA
This is a deficiency of the red blood cells in number or
hemoglobin content or both.

ANGINA PECTORIS
Angina (pain) pectoris (chest) refers to chest pain caused by a
heart condition. It develops when the heart muscle does not receive
enough blood. The pain is a signal to slow down and let the heart
rest before it suffers permanent damage.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Atherosclerosis is considered the primary cause of death but it does
not directly acuse death. Rather it causes diseases, heart attacks,
strokes, and kidney disease which kills more people than cancer. It
is a disease of the arteries in which fats, cholesterol, sugars and other
substances accumulate in the arterial walls. The deposits of these
substances are called plaques. As plaques build up over the years,
the arterery narrows and the tissue organs supplied by that artery
suffers from insufficient blood flow.

CONGESTIVES HEART FAILURE
Congestive Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart does not
meet the body's demand for blood circulation. The weaken heart
can not pump enough blood to supply the needed oxgen and other
nutrients. A person with CHF may have obesity, high blood pressure,
rheumatic heart disease, atherosclerosis or kidney disease. It may
also occur without prior warning or known cause. CHF may affect
the entire heart or onse side. When the left atrium and ventricle (left
heart failure) are affected blood and fluid collect in the lungs. Right
side heart failure is characterized by swelling of legs caused by a
back up of blood and fluid. Therapy for CHF involves identifying and
curing the underlying cause as well as treating the symptoms. The
main stay of therapy is Digitalis (Lanoxin) which is used to strengthen
the heartbeat and help the heart pump blood more efficiently and a
diurectic to relieve the edema by helping the kidneys excrete fluid
more efficiently. Oxygen may be necessary. A strict diet must be
followed and includes salt (sodium) restrictions.

HEART ATTACK
Heart attacks or myocardial infarctions (MI) occurs when a coronary
artery is blocked, usually by a blood clot (coronary thrombosis).
Because of the blockage, tissue death occurs in that part of the
heart muscle which is no longer receiving blood and oxygen. The
size and location of the lesion and rate of scar formation determines
many of the smyptoms and signs as well as the rate of recovery and
convalescense period. With special care for cardiac patients, the
chance of surviving a heart attack is improving. Classically heart
attacks cause a crushing or pressure pain around the upper third
of the breastbone. The pain is often accompanied by a cold sweat,
restlessness, increased heart rate and a feeling of impending dome.
Wheezing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and coughing may also occur.
However some people feel no pain or only mild pain and do not
recognize a heart attack.

(high blood pressure covered on another page)

AS ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND GET
THOSE CHECKUPS. BE SURE AND DISCUSS ALL
PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
AND FOLLOW HIS ADVICE.

*Information contained herein is intended for general
informaion and is not intended to replaced your
Doctor, Pharmacist or Health Care Provider*

For more information visit PDR

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