A Study of the Human Cardiovascular System -Section Two

Automatic Innervation (License : CC-BY-SA 3.0, Author : OpenStax College) Wikimedia Commons

In section one of this topic, which can be found here, i explained about " The Human Cardiovascular System" of which "the Heart and blood vessels" is the key concentration, because it is the heart that actually pumps the blood for circulation.
In this section, i will be explaining what is called "Cardiovascular Disorder" and measures that can be used to surmount it. Chest pain or angina as it is called, is any pain caused by sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle . Angina pectoris (Crushing chest pain) is a pain in the chest caused by an increased demand for blood that the heart muscle is unable to meet. It can be caused by any activity that requires an increased heart rate. For example, those prone to it may suffer an attack after eating a heavy meal. It is not an illness in itself, but the possible symptom of other cardio-vascular malfunctions.

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot keep pace with the demands made upon it. It can be as a result of heart attacks; intense fevers, chronic lung disease, high blood pressure, faulty heart valves, or strain on the heart muscle in extreme physical exertion.
The symptoms are breathlessness and chest pain. Usually one side of the heart fails first, and then pressure builds up as the other side continues to function. Legs and ankles swell and the lungs flood with fluid. The rhythm of the heartbeat is affected, becoming abnormally fast (tachycardia), slow (bradycardia) or irregular (fibrillation). Unless the process and cured, death results.

Medical advice should be sought for as quickly as possible. If the heart has stopped completely, external cardiac message should be applied within three minutes - but only if it is certain that the heart has stopped. Rest is very important in recuperation(Gradual restoration to health). The amount and intensity of rest depend on the extent of heart damage. Drugs are given for sedation, also to increase kidney output, to clear the lungs and tissues of excess fluid. Where the rhythm of the heartbeat is permanently disrupted, an electronic pacemaker is fitted. The co-ordinates the contractions of the atria ventricles.

Heart Attack, picture source : Pixabay (CCO)

A "coronary thrombosis" as it is called is a thrombosis in the arteries that supply the heart muscle itself. It may result in a cardiac or "myocardial" (muscle of the heart) infarction. When these two disorders have occurred, the person has suffered a heart attack, which may have resulted in a cardiac arrest (stoppage of the heart). The severity of the attack depends on whether or not the blood can find an alternative route, the size and position of the area affected and whether or not the nerves that regulate the heartbeat are affected.

The dead tissue of tissue of the infarction is gradually replaced by scar tissue. This cannot contract, and weakens the heart. By the age of 40, most men will probably have suffered minor coronary infarctions, most men will have passed unnoticed. The chance of serious infarctions increases with age. They happen suddenly and are accompanied by severe pain, cold sweating, breathlessness and faintness. As with all heart disorders, rest, to allow repair, is necessary.

Rheumatic heart disease, gross pathology 20G0013 lores (License : Public Domain, Author : CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr.) Wikimedia Commons

Rheumatic heart disease is from rheumatic fever, a bacterial infection which causes inflammation of certain joints. In rheumatic heart disease, the heart and the heart cavity also become inflamed. Heart failure can occur as a direct result, but more usually the valves of the heart are left scarred, thickened, and deformed, which threatens heart failure in later life. The fever itself is often recurrent, with serious attacks following mild ones.

Heart Surgery

Coronary artery bypass surgery Image (License : Public Domain) Wikimedia Commons

The main reason for heart surgery is the heart's importance to the body and that is also the main difficulty. Till a few years ago, surgeons could only carry out operations that did not interfere with the heart's pumping action. For a short time, this machine can take over the functions of the heart and respiratory system, while the heart is being operated on.

Usually, the two large veins that lead into the right atrium are connected to the machine instead. Deoxygenated blood flows into the machine, where it is mixed with oxygen, in a way similar to the lungs' processes, and the blood flows back into the body through a connection to one of the branches of the aorta. This allows sufficient time for certain procedures, especially closure of actual or ventricular septal defects or replacement of diseased valves, such as the aortic or mitral. (The mitral valve is that between the left atrium and left ventricle, and is often damaged in cases of rheumatic fever) .

Difficulties that can arise afterwards, especially when the machine is used for longer than normal is a kidney damage and psychological psychosis ( from which recovery usually occurs). Both are possibly due to the pressure output of the machine being too low for pumped blood to reach some tissues. Other surgical techniques are replacement of segments of coronary artery or aorta, artificial pumping aids for the left ventricle and use of artificial "pacemakers" to stimulate the heartbeat.

High Blood Pressure (HBP)

High blood pressure which is also known as hypertension is associated with arteriosclerosis, kidney diseases, glandular disorders, obesity and anxiety. It can also occur of its own accord, in this case the cause is unknown, but may be a result of contraction in the small arteries. Hypertension often starts in the early 30s, but no age is exempt, and it is not caused by aging. Heredity seems to be one factor. It is usually controlled very effectively by drugs.

Blood pressure depends on the resistance of the arteries to the heart's pumping efforts. It falls if the heart pumps less and/or if the arteries are dilated. It rises if the heart pumps more and/or if the arteries are constricted. Heart output can be raised temporarily by exercise, but this is only dangerous in some cases of existing heart disorder, it does not cause disorder. Other temporary high blood pressure is caused by excitement, stress, or apprehension, and whether these are dangerous probably depends on their duration and frequency and how high they go.

Brain Disorder

Stroke Diagram, (License: Public Domain)Flickr

In this case, I will be talking about "Arteriosclerosis Psychosis" and "Stroke". Arteriosclerosis here means lose of elasticity in the arteries while psychosis means a severe mental disorder. So in the case of Arteriosclerosis psychosis, it happens as a result of impaired blood supply to the brain. It is usually associated with old age, but sometimes occur earlier. The person feels restless, and emotional, is inclined to wander at night, and complains of headaches, giddiness, and momentary blackouts. Memory may fail and strong personality traits becomes exaggerated. Though the symptoms fluctuate. The treatment concentrates mainly on creating a relaxing environment. Drugs may be used when the person is depressed or worried.

In the case of of stroke, it happens as a result of failure of the blood supply to a part of the brain. This may be due to a thrombosis or embolism, or to a haemorrhage in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. Death of part of the brain may occur. I noticed that stroke is more common in men than in women. Though its severity varies from a minor disturbance to a major attack causing unconsciousness and death. An attack may show itself in sudden paralysis of one or part of the body, without loss of consciousness. There could be persistent throbbing, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and numbness of the limbs. The recovery depends on age, general health, and size of damage. It may take years to recover completely.

Conclusion

So many things leads to cardiovascular disorder, I believe you would refreshed your brain or gain more knowledge from the section one to section two of this article. If you notice unusual feelings in your body quickly consult you doctor for counseling and medication to avoid any supposed sickness or disorder become advanced. Just in case you do not understand some of the words used here, you can please ask in the "reply box" and I will kindly explain. Below are some of explanation of the words I used.

Thrombosis is blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot. It occurs when the blood flow is too slow, due to prolonged inactivity, or when the blood flow is disturbed by a change in the smooth lining of a blood vessel, and this sets off the clothing process.
Embolism is blockage of a small blood vessel by a mass of foreign material, he a mass of bacteria, or fragments from a thrombosis elsewhere.
Infarction refers to death of living tissue when its blood supply is cut off by a thrombosis or embolism.

Thank you for reading!

Reference

[1] Circulatory System -Wikipedia
[2] Types of Cardiovascular Disease
[3] Cardiovascular System -innerbody
[4] Circulatory System: Facts, Function & Diseases
[5] Functions of the Cardiovascular System
[6] Cardiovascular System Anatomy

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