Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.
ID: 3481202 • Letter: C
Question
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S. It is characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques on artery walls.
There are three main diseases that may result from atherosclerosis: coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease.
Pick one of these disease categories and describe them. Indicate how much of atherosclerosis is preventable and identify what steps one can take to prevent it.
Objective: Describe the functions of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
Explanation / Answer
Coronary artery disease or CAD is a serious heart disease characterized by poor blood supply to the heart due to hardening and narrowing of blood vessels.
Cause: The major cause of this disease is development of fatty plagues on the walls of blood vessels supplying blood to the heart. This deprives heart of oxygen and nutrients. Fatty plagues develop due to intake of large proportion of fats and cholesterol which gets built up on the walls of blood vessels over a long period of time. This build up is called as atherosclerosis.
Symptoms: Due to built up of fatty plagues on walls of blood vessels, lumen of blood vessels narrow which results in poor supply of blood towards heart. As a result of this heart muscles are deprived of adequate oxygen and nutrient supply which results in different kinds of symptoms such as
Angina- chest pain.
Shortness of breath.
Complete blockade may cause myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Preventive measures: Although this is a serious heart condition with severe symptoms, but this can be easily prevented by adopting following measures.
1. Consumption of diet with small amount of fats and cholesterol.
2. Avoid smoking.
3. Avoid consumption of alcohol.
4. Regular exercise.
5. Avoid stress.
6. Regular walking.