Cardiovascular disease

• Numbness on one side of the body is most likely a symptom of __________.

  a stroke
• Which of the following is the most common symptom of hypertension?

  none of the above
• A rapid, irregular heartbeat is a symptom of __________.

  heart failure
• Explain what distinguishes a stroke from a heart attack.

  Both strokes and heart attacks occur when the blood supply to that part of the body is blocked or interrupted. Strokes occur in the brain, while heart attacks are specific to the heart muscle. Both can be caused when blockages cut off the blood supply and the tissues starves for oxygen and other nutrients. Strokes can also occur when the pressure in a blocked artery causes it to burst and the blood leaks into the brain.
• Explain why living a healthy lifestyle is the most important step in preventing cardiovascular disease.

  There is no single step for preventing cardiovascular disease; all aspects of a healthy lifestyle impact cardiovascular fitness. Eating a healthy diet can reduce your dietary cholesterol and help maintain a healthy body weight. Getting regular exercise can also help maintain a healthy body weight as well as strengthen the heart muscle. Avoiding smoking is another part of a healthy lifestyle that can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.See an expert-written answer!We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
• __________ of the population of the United States is obese.

  33%
• What treatment option is shared for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease?

  All of these conditions can be treated by thinning the blood. In each case, lowering blood pressure helps reduce the symptoms, and some of the best medications for lowering blood pressure do so by thinning the blood.
• Why is high blood pressure known as "the silent killer"?

  It generally shows no symptoms.
• Why is physical activity so important in preventing heart disease?

  The heart is a muscle, and as with all muscles, it needs to be strengthened in order to maintain optimal health. The best way to strengthen the heart is to exercise it by performing activities that elevate your heart rate and increase blood flow.
• Compare and contrast arteriosclerosis with atherosclerosis.

  Arteriosclerosis is a general term for the hardening of arteries and a loss of elasticity in arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is specifically a condition where arteries harden as a result of plaque buildup on artery walls. Both conditions result in poor and inefficient blood flow through arteries, which can lead to blood clots or ruptures in the blood vessels of the heart or brain. Blockages in the heart can result in heart attacks; blockages and ruptures in the brain lead to strokes.
• High levels of cholesterol can first lead directly to __________.

  arteriosclerosis
• The failure to deliver blood to the heart due to a narrowing of arteries results in __________.

  coronary heart diseaseSee an expert-written answer!We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
• Stress is a factor that contributes to heart disease risk.

  True
• Which of the following is NOT a symptom of cardiomyopathy?

  fever
• Hypertension is called "the silent killer" because __________.

  it generally has no symptoms
• Which of the following is NOT a lifestyle risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

  physical activity
• Angioplasty is the most typical treatment for arteriosclerosis.

  False
• Two hours of moderate exercise every week can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by 30%.

  TrueSee an expert-written answer!We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
• What distinguishes high blood pressure from conditions such as arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis?

  High blood pressure has no symptoms.
• Once a person has been diagnosed with diabetes, what is the single greatest health threat they will face?

  cardiovascular disease
• factors where a lifestyle change could help reduce cardiovascular disease:

  • Becoming more physically active,
  • cutting out smoking,
  • maintaining a healthier diet that is low on cholesterol,
• Cardiovascular diseases

  Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
• Cardiovascular diseases

  • They are non-communicable, meaning they cannot be passed from person to person
• Coronary heart disease

  1. Layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries

  2. Coronary arteries narrow

  3. Reduces blood flow through the coronary arteries

  4. Lack of oxygen for the heart muscle

  5. Can result in a heart attack
• Statins

  Drugs which reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, slowing down the build-up of fatty materials in the arteries
• Statins

  • Effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease
  • Can cause liver problems as an unwanted side effect
• Stent

  A tube inserted into a coronary artery to keep it open and allow normal blood flow
• Stent

  • Allows normal blood flow through the artery
  • Does not treat the underlying causes of the disease
• Heart valve issues

  • Valves do not fully open, causing the heart to pump extra hard
  • Valves are leaky, causing the patient to feel weak and tired
• Heart valve replacement


  Mechanical valves made of metal or valves from animals like pigs
• Mechanical valves

  • Last a lifetime but increase the risk of blood clots, requiring anti-clotting drugs
  • Animal valves do not last as long and may need to be replaced, but do not require drugs
• Heart failure

  The heart cannot pump enough blood around the body
• Heart transplant

  • Donated heart or heart and lungs
  • Patients must take drugs to stop the donated heart from being rejected
• Artificial heart

  • A temporary solution while waiting for a heart transplant or to allow a damaged heart to rest
  • Increases the risk of blood clotting and not a long-term solution