The human body is a highly complex system of organs that operates efficiently at a cellular level to ensure proper functionality and longevity of the human race. However, even the slightest changes to its operation can lead to complications. In order to better understand the human body and how it works; an understanding of the diseases it is susceptible to is necessary. The cardiovascular system, in particular, is vulnerable to debilitating disease such as aneurysms, which is a ballooning of a blood vessel, or even an embolism (when any foreign body enters the blood stream). Blood vessels include arteries, capillaries and veins and therefore these events can occur anywhere in the body (i.e. the heart or the brain). There are different types of aneurysms including saccular, fusiform and pseudo-aneurysms. Saccular aneurysms only develop on part of the vessel wall and are spherical in shape. Fusiform aneurysms are ovoid in shape and develop over the entire vessel cross section. Pseudo-aneurysms are not true aneurysms but they occur as a result of a tear in the vessel wall thus collecting the blood pooled by extravascular tissue (Group). The exact cause of an aneurysm is not known but is correlated with certain previous existing conditions. Existing conditions that may have an effect on the development of an aneurysm are inherited predispositions to this disease, lifestyles, and high blood pressure. Some individuals are predisposed to developing aneurysms if their blood
Many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease cause problems because they lead to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing and thickening of arteries and develops for years without causing symptoms. It can happen in any part of the body. Around the heart, it is known as coronary artery disease, in the legs it is known as peripheral arterial disease. The narrowing and thickening of the arteries is due to the deposition of fatty material, cholesterol and other substances in the walls of blood vessels. The deposits are known as plaques. The rupture of a plaque can lead to stroke or a heart attack. (World Heart Federation).
Heart and stroke diseases are claimed to be caused by unhealthy behavioural habits, however research evidence has shown that the actually causes of heart and stroke diseases are contributed to low income. The usual or traditional professional explanations for the cause of heart and stroke that were stated in the articles and on the heart and stroke foundation website were said to be contributed to biomedical and lifestyle factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, being inactive, eating unhealthy, smoking, and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. The Heart and stroke foundation 's main prevention strategies in conquering heart and stroke disease are primarily focused only on promoting healthy lifestyles and behavioural habits. Heart and stroke diseases are claimed to be caused by unhealthy behavioural habits, however research evidence has shown that cardiovascular diseases are more associated with low income. Heart and stroke diseases are contributed to low income; however these causes are skewed by corporate influence and power and, therefore, the traditional professional explanations of the causes of cardiovascular diseases are usually said to be caused by unhealthy lifestyles and behavioural choices.
The cardiovascular disease defines conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. Thrombosis, which emanates from blood clots, reduced blood flow to the heart, brain and the rest of the body. When fatty acids deposit in the artery, it hardens and narrows. These issues lead to stroke, coronary heart disease, aortic disease and peripheral arterial disease. Coronary heart disease occurs due to a reduced or blocked flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is a result of accumulated fats in the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are a set of blood vessels that take blood to the heart. When they become narrow, the heart gets less of a supply of blood and oxygen causing chest pains, called angina or a heart attack, explains VanMeter &
Vasospasm is the term used when a constriction of a vein or artery occurs. It is also the cause of death when an aneurysm occurs. More than 50% of all surviving patients that get an intracranial aneurysm have neurological defects.
Nevertheless, there is an understandable and noticeable link between circulatory related diseases and lifestyle diseases, such as Coronary Heart Disease. Coronary heart disease can occur when fatty acids, such as cholesterol in an inadequate diet, build up in the walls of the coronary artery. These fatty deposits collect minerals and harden to become a plaque. Eventually, this plaque grows and can swells up, forming an aneurism. In some cases, this aneurism may burst leading to instant death. As it continues to grow and swell up, it finally blocks the artery completely and forms blood clots. This is known as coronary thrombosis. A myocardial infarction, or in other words as heart attack, occurs when no oxygen is able to reach the coronary artery and thus it is unable to fulfil its role in providing the heart muscle with a sufficient supply of blood. Heart attacks are very common in the society nowadays, especially occurring in smokers or obesity related diseases (Millar, June 2014)
Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are a growing problem around the world today. Not only do diseases such as diabetes and heart disease affect individuals and their lifestyles, they also affect the economy, politics, education and the professional work environment. 20-26% of individuals in the United States live with heart disease, and obesity and high blood pressure compose the greatest factors for developing this disease [20]. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the amount of sedentary time and cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk, regardless of baseline measurements [20]. Thus, increase in physical activity will decrease cardiometabolic risk factors [8]. Several studies indicate a positive correlation between physical activity and decreased cardiometabolic risk markers [2,4,11,16]. However, we now know that an individual who is getting the recommended physical activity per day can still have a large amount of sedentary time.
According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases have been the leading cause of death globally claiming 17 million lives a year, more deaths than all cancer combined (Chiu and Radisic, 2013). Cardiovascular disease is responsible for a preponderance of health problems and its impact is expected to grow further as the population ages. In the UK, NHS spends about £7.74 billion as the expenditure to deal with cardiovascular diseases (Barton et al., 2011). Cardiovascular disease in the form of myocardial infarction has become the principle cause of death in developed countries, accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths (http://www.bhf.org.uk/). Congenital heart defects, which occur in nearly 14 of every 1000 new-born children, is another tragic fact that baffles medical industry (http://www.heart.org/). About 61 million Americans (almost one-fourth of the population) live with cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease, congenital cardiovascular defects, and congestive heart failure.
Cardiovascular disease has reportedly been the number one disease killer for men and women in the United States of America. Every one out of four deaths is caused by heart disease in the United States alone (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention). Heart disease refers to the different types of conditions and symptoms that can affect the one’s heart and its functions to the body (Mayo Clinic). Cardiovascular/Heart disease has many causes and conditions, prevention methods and symptoms, and treatment options.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is
There is no cure for peripheral arterial disease however with lifestyle changes and medication symptoms can be reduced. Lifestyle changes such as; Exercising more regular is important because it conditions the muscles to use the oxygen it is receiving more efficiently. Eating a healthier diet will help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels which contribute to atherosclerosis. Smoking is a big factor in developing and worsening peripheral arterial disease, by quitting smoking the risk of complications will be reduced. Avoiding certain cold medication is also important as these may restrict blood vessels and aggregate the symptoms. Taking care of feet are very important this can be done by washing, drying and moisturising daily, wearing
An AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) is defined as enlargement of at least 3 cm of the abdominal aorta. The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms begins below the renal arteries and ends above the iliac arteries. The exact cause of (AAAs) is unknown. However, it is thought to be due to a degenerative process of the abdominal aorta caused by atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis represents a response to vessel wall injury caused by inflammation, genetically regulated defects in collagen and fibrillin, increased protease activity within the arterial wall, and mechanical factors (Stoelting p. 143).
Sometimes people who have problems with the valve that blood flows through as it leaves your heart have an increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysm.
The most common cause is hypertension, or high blood pressure. Stress, smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity can also lead to stress of the heart and aorta, which can lead to the aneurysm. A family history of heart problems, high blood pressure or aneurysms may raise a patient’s risk of having their own aneurysm. Other than the health reasons above, there are also some medical disorders that can weaken the aorta, thus increasing the chance of aneurysm. These disorders are: Marfan Syndrome (a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (another inherited connective tissue disorder), syphilis and
Aneurysms are a ballooning and weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. They can burst at any moment and cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding under the layer of brain coverings called the arachnoid. This can cause increased intracranial pressure which can lead to a stroke or even death if they aren’t discovered in time. They most commonly occur in the Circle of Willis in the anterior cerebral artery.
Macrophage which is now foam-like accumulates on the blood vessel to form visible fatty streak which then undergoes apoptosis. The plaque continues to grow and hardens narrowing the arteries. This ruptures and causes a blood clot which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body causing a heart attack, stroke or even death. Factors that are known to predispose to atherosclerosis are physical inactivity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking and hypertension which increase the chances by two-fold by damaging the vascular endothelium. Experimental studies have just shown that excess blood levels of iron can lead to atherosclerosis (Guyton and Hall, 2011).