Cardiovascular+Disease

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Definition:
A set of disease processes in the heart and circulatory system. Chapter 15 HGD p.398

Heart and blood vessel disease — cardiovascular disease also called Heart disease — includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. []

Other types of Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
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 * Heart failure:** This doesn't mean that the heart stops beating. Heart failure, sometimes called congestive heart failure, means the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should. The heart keeps working, but the body's need for blood and oxygen isn't being met. Heart failure can get worse if it's not treated. If your loved one has heart failure, it's very important to follow the doctor's orders.
 * Arrhythmia**: This is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. There are various types of arrhythmias. The heart can beat too slow, too fast or irregularly. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute. An arrhythmia can affect how well the heart works. The heart may not be able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
 * Heart valve problems:** When heart valves don't open enough to allow the blood to flow through as it should, it's called stenosis. When the heart valves don't close properly and allow blood to leak through, it's called regurgitation. When the valve leaflets bulge or prolapse back into the upper chamber, it’s a condition called mitral valve prolapse. When this happens, they may not close properly. This allows blood to flow backward through them.

=Risk Factors for Heart Disease (pg.444)=
 * Smoking**- Major risk; the more you smoke the greater the risk. Quitting smoking reduces the risk.
 * Blood pressure**- Aystolic pressure above 140 or diastolic pressure above 90 linked to higher risk.
 * Weight**- Some increased risk with any weight above the normal range; risk is greater for those with weight 20% or more above recommended amount.
 * Cholesterol**- Clear risk with elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins.
 * Inactivity**- Inactive adults have about twice the risk of those who exercise.
 * Diet**- High-fat, low-fiber diet increases risk; antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, or beta-carotene may decrease risk.
 * Alcohol**- Moderate intake of alcohol, especially wine, linked to decreased CVD risk. Heavy drinking can weaken the heart muscle.
 * Heredity**- Those with first-degree relatives with CVD have seven to ten times the risk; those who inherit a gene for a particular protein are up to twice as likely to have CVD.

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