BIOLOGICAL ESSAY

Biological Essay

Biological Essay

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to vital life-sustaining areas of the body like the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs. If oxygen doesn't arrive the tissue or organ will die.

Diagram of Atherosclerosis Ischemic Heart Disease is the technical term for obstruction of blood flow to the heart. In general this results because excess fat or plaque deposits are narrowing the veins that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. Excess buildup of fat or plaque are respectively termed arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis(Maheshwari, et al., 2008). Equally significant would be inadequate oxygen flow to the brain, which causes a stroke.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) often results from this excess fat or plaque buildup because of the extra effort it takes to circulate blood. Even though the heart works harder, blockages still shortchange the needed blood supply to all areas of the body. The body's amazing survival systems will mask the subtle damage that is occurring from this extra wear and tear, but not forever. High blood pressure is called "The Silent Killer" because the first warning sign is an angina attack or a deadly heart attack or a stroke.

Kidney disorders (which leave extra fluids, sodium, and toxins in the body), obesity, diabetes, birth control pills, pregnancy, smoking, excess alcohol, stress, and thyroid and adrenal gland problems can also cause and exacerbate a high blood pressure condition.

Damage to the heart tissues from CVD or from heart surgery will disrupt the natural electrical impulses of the heart and result in cardiac arrhythmia (an abnormally high or abnormally low heart rate) (Black, Hawks, 2005). Individuals often don't realize the aftermath and side effects that invasive surgical procedures leave. Sudden fluctuations in heart rate can cause noticeable palpitations, with an associated faintness, or dizziness, and if severely abnormal could interfere with blood flow and even initiate a heart attack.

Proper ranges of cholesterol are also important in the prevention of heart attack or stroke. Total blood cholesterol above 200 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol above 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol below 35 mg/dl; and lipoprotein(a) level greater than 30 mg/dl are indicators of problematic cholesterol(Marieb, 2006). Cholesterol is not actually a damage mechanism but is more an indicator of compromised liver function, and increased risk of heart attack.

Infection of the heart, carditis and endocarditis, is an additional complication that can occur as a result of a weak immune system, liver problems, heart surgery, or from an autoimmune disorder like rheumatic fever. Endocarditis is quite common in persons with compromised immune systems from HIV or AIDS. If not appropriately handled, permanent heart muscle damage can occur from the infection.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies

The traditional approach is medication and surgery, but several published studies indicate that a second and even third opinion should be obtained before proceeding with surgery.

"Angiograms, bypass surgery, and angioplasty are a big business. Over one million heart angiograms are performed each year for a total annual cost of over ten billion dollars(Van, ...