Heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease, refers to conditions that result from narrowed or blocked coronary vessels. This blockage can lead to chest pain, heart attack, and stroke. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease is the leading killer of men and women worldwide. Understanding cardiovascular physiology and anatomy is the basis for diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
-
-
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. These arteries supply the heart muscles with oxygen-rich blood, and this plaque narrows the arteries and reduces the flow of blood to the heart. This can result in blood clots forming in your arteries, which can partially or completely block blood flow.
-
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that results from your heart not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. The physiological effect is a sensation of pressure or squeezing in the chest or shoulders. Angina varies in degree of severity and is not a heart attack, but its onset makes a heart attack more likely.
-
Atherosclerosis is a disease that develops over time as plaque builds up inside your arteries. This fatty buildup creates a greater degree of pressure on the artery walls, making them thick and stiff. This loss of resiliency results in restricted blood flow to various parts of your body, including the heart, brain, and muscle tissue.
-
In addition to angina, the symptoms of coronary heart disease are shortness of breath and pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs. This indicates that the blood vessels in those areas of your body have narrowed. In same cases, there may be no overt symptoms until heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia occur. A heart attack occurs when a section of plaque breaks open and a large-enough blockage occurs to cut most or all of the blood flow through the artery.
-
The physiological causes of coronary heart disease are strongly connected to diet and lifestyle. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a diet high in certain fats and cholesterol increase risk of CAD. Lack of exercise weakens the heart and stimulates the onset of atherosclerosis. High blood pressure or excessive amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes can also contribute to coronary heart disease.
Read Next:
-
The Anatomy & Physiology of Hirschsprung's Disease
Hirschsprung's disease is a birth defect affecting the nerve cells in the colon. Babies born with this disease have difficulty passing stool....
-
Physiology of Coronary Artery Disease
A multitude of risk factors combine with the physiological tendencies of coronary artery disease (CAD) to initiate an illness which worsens with...
-
Rats and Coronary Artery Disease
Most people don't think about the cardiovascular health of rats and other small pets, but it can be a serious risk. Rats...
-
Anatomy & Physiology of the Disease Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that causes infection in many of the human body's organ systems. It is caused mainly by the...
-
Pathophysiology of Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is the nation's number one killer and is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States every...
-
Diagnosis for Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary heart disease (CAD) occurs when you develop fatty deposits known as plaque within your arteries. The plaque eventually narrows your arteries,...
-
Anatomy & Physiology of the Human Ear
The human ear is a complex system responsible for both hearing and balance. It is composed of the outer, middle and inner...
-
Moderate Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease
Diffuse coronary artery disease refers to widespread damage or disease in the coronary arteries, which are major blood vessels that supply blood,...
-
Pathogenesis of Coronary Artery Disease
Genetics, a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), is one of the most significant aspects in the pathogenesis of CAD. Adolescence,...
-
Pathophysiology of Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease affects the heart valves. Heart valves are structures that regulate the unidirectional bloodflow through the four chambers of the...
-
AHA Scientific Position on Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease
The American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Position on risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) divides into two areas: major risk factors,...
-
Forms of Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is characterized by a narrowing of the small blood vessels leading to the heart. It is also known as...
-
Cardiac Physiologist Training
Training for cardiac physiology (or the way the heart works) is a large part of cardiac vascular training which covers both the...
-
Anatomy and Physiology of the Throat
The throat, which begins behind the nose and continues down the neck, has three main functions. According to the Children's Hospital of...
-
How to Learn Human Anatomy and Physiology
Do you have to learn human anatomy and physiology for a healthcare career or some other reason? Read on to find out...
-
The Definition of Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and physiology are essential studies for anyone who plans to enter a health care profession. By learning the form and function...
-
Anatomy & Physiology Games
Games make learning fun and make the time seem to go by faster. Students of all ages enjoy learning through game play....
-
Diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is a narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood and oxygen to the heart....
-
Anatomy of a Canine Heart Vs. a Human Heart
The canine and human heart are very similar in structure and function. Dogs can even suffer from the same types of heart...
-
Physiology of a Cardiac Myocyte
The heart is a curious machine. Even though it contains the same kinds of cells that are found in other muscles, the...
