Download
1 / 14
190 likes | 612 Vues
Disorders of the Circulatory System. SBI 3U. Diagnostic Tools. There are several ways to detect if there are any issues with the circulatory system by looking inside the body.
E N D
Diagnostic Tools • There are several ways to detect if there are any issues with the circulatory system by looking inside the body. • Coronary Angiography- mapping of the coronary arteries. It is done by injecting liquid dye into the arteries and taking X-rays as the dye moves through the blood vessels. • Doing this allows doctors to determine where the blockage is.
Echocardogram- • Uses ultrasound technology to create a picture of the heart (ECHO). • The recording of sound waves allow doctors to see the shape and movement of the valves and the size of the chambers. Electrocardiogram- • Known as a cardiac stress test (ECG). It measures the heart’s electrical activity, blood pressure and heart rate while a person is exercising.
Cardiac Catheterization – usually used with other techniques, such as angiography. A thin, flexible tube is inserted in an artery in the arm or groin region. It is gently guided through the body until it reaches the heart. X-rays are taken and dye is often injected for an easier view. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cardiac+catheterization&qpvt=cardio+catherization&adlt=strict&docid=286491084155&mid=24D831E12A0320B8149D24D831E12A0320B8149D&FORM=LKVR#
Diseases affecting the Heart • Atherosclerosis • Cause-narrowing of arteries from a plaque build up. • Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, calcium and fat deposits that stick to the interior walls of the arteries • If a blockage occurs in the heart, the heart is deprived of oxygen and nutrients.
Symptoms- In mild cases the person may feel chest pains, called angina. • If it is a severe case, a blood clot could close up the arteries causing a heart attack. • Treatment- may include angioplasty which would prevent the artery from closing up.
Heart Attack • Cause- occurs when blood supply to the heart tissue is slowed or stopped. • Usually occurs due to atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. • The heart doesn’t actually stop beating usually just slows down unless it is a severe case. • Symptoms- pain in the chest and upper body,, nausea, shortness of breath. • If the heart attack is not treated right away scar tissue can build up in the heart and the muscle dies.
Treatment- the treatment depends on the severity of the heart attack. The goals of initial treatment are to minimize damage by restoring blood flow to the heart and to determine the amount of damage to heart tissue. It is critical to call for immediate medical attention (i.e., call 9-1-1) • Thrombolytic therapy -Several new "clot-busting drugs," called thrombolytic agents, can help dissolve blood clots and prevent further heart damage. • Heparin therapy- Heparin is a drug used to "thin" the blood to help prevent further blood clot formation. This drug may be particularly useful in patients who experience intermittent blood clot formation within a coronary artery.
Aspirin- Taking an aspirin during a heart attack and each day following a heart attack can decrease the risk of dying from the condition by almost 25%. • Beta-blockers- These drugs slow the heart rate and decrease the strength of the heart's contractions, reducing strain on the heart and its oxygen requirement
Cardiomyopathy • Literally means "heart muscle disease” • Cause- deterioration of the function of the myocardium (the actual heart muscle) for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death or both. • Symptoms- fatigue, shortness of breath at rest, chest pains, weak heart (when the heart is weak, it will pump less blood than is required by the body, starving the body of vital nutrients).
Stiff heart (a stiff heart beats strongly, ejecting adequate amounts of blood forward. But it has difficulty filling the heart. Think of a stiff balloon. It is tough to fill the balloon with blood. So, it fills very slowly. However, it has no effect on air escaping.) • Treatment-depends on the type of cardiomyopathy, but may include medication, implanted pacemakers, defibrillators, or ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The goal of treatment is often symptom relief, and some patients may eventually require a heart transplant.
