Blood Flow and cardiovascular Disease, non lipid cardiovascular risk factors - Essay Example

Non-lipid risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease Introduction Coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke are the primary types of cardiovascular disease.[1] CAD or ischaemic heart disease is the most common cause of death in Europe, USA, and Australia. In USA it affects 14 million men and women. [2]In a French study, Ferrieres found that CAD related death has dramatically decreased during these 20 last years and all age ranges took benefit from the prognostic improvement of coronary artery disease.

[3]Physiological view and pathogenesisThe heart consists of four chambers; an atrium and a ventricle on the right, and an atrium and ventricle on the left. Blood, returning to the heart from all over the body, flows into the right atrium. The blood flows from the right atrium into the right ventricle, which in turn pump it out to the lungs for oxygenation. Then the oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium. From the left atrium, the oxygenated blood flows into the left ventricle which pumps the oxygen-rich blood into the arteries.

Pumping or contraction of the left ventricle should be very powerful to keep flowing of the blood throughout the whole body.The strength of the heart muscle depends on the oxygen and nutrient supply coming from the coronary arteries. The walls of these arteries are strong, elastic and flexible. The heart muscle is supplied by three major coronary arteries. Two of them arise from a common stem, called the left coronary artery which supplies the left side of the heart. It divides into left anterior descending branch which supplies the front part of the heart, and the left circumflex branch which supplies the left lateral and back side of the heart.

The right coronary is separate and supplies the right and the bottom parts of the heart. The inner layer of the coronary arteries is quite smooth allowing blood to flow easily. With aging, cholesterol and calcium content in the walls of the coronary arteries increases, making them thickened and less elastic. The prolonged effect of risk factors with the consequence of aging, damage of the inner layer of the arteries becomes predominant, especially in the coronaries. This change is called atherosclerosis which is a progressive hardening of the arteries caused by the deposit of fatty plaques and the scarring and thickening of the artery wall.

Inflammation of the artery wall and the development of blood clots can obstruct blood flow and cause heart attacks or strokes.[1]Nieminen and colleagues concluded that coronary artery disease is a major cause of heart failure.[4]The deposits or plaques may increase in size and block the arteries. If blockage is partial it causes chest pain (angina), if the blockage is complete it causes "stroke" or myocardial infarction (MI).[5] Since coronary artery disease often develops over decades, it can go virtually unnoticed until it produces MI or stroke.

Non-Lipid Cardiovascular Risk FactorsScientists think the cardiovascular disease starts when the very inner linning of the artery is damaged. [6] The damage may be caused by various factors including:Heredity: Coronary heart disease runs in the family.Tobacco abuse: This includes not only smoking any form of tobacco but also chewing tobacco. Toxins in the blood from smoking contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. 2004 Surgeon Generals Report included that cigarette smoking is a major cause of stroke and it has been associated with sudden cardiac death of all types in both men and women.

In addition the report mentioned that smoking causes abdominal aortic aneurism "which is a fatal vascular disease". [1]High blood pressure: People with high blood pressure have an increased stiffness, or resistance, in the peripheral arteries which causes the heart muscle to work harder to pump the blood through these arteries which may lead to more strain with consequent heart failure and increased incidence of CAD.Diabetes: It is an important factor in accelerating the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Obesity: The Nurses Health Study found that the risk of developing CAD increased 3 to 4 times in women who had BMI greater than 29. [2]Physical inactivity: Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle and lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, while physical inactivity increases the risk of CAD.Emotional stress: Uncontrollable, unpredictable, and constant stress has far-reaching consequences on physical and mental health. Stress can lead to many illnesses, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Type A personality (impatient, aggressive, and competitive) [2]Conclusion: Monitoring and modifying certain risk factors is the best way to prevent coronary artery disease and heart disease in general. References1. 2004 Surgeon Generals Report-"The health consequences of smoking". http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/highlights/3.htm2. Coronary heart disease. www.emedicinehealth.com/coronary_heart_disease3. Ferrieres J. The epidemiology of coronary artery disease in older than 75 years.

Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2006; 99 Sep No 4: 7-124. Nieminen MS, Bohm M, Cowie MR, et al. The task force on acute heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology. Executive summary of the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure. Eur Heart J 2005; 26: 384-416.5. Mayo Clinic Staff. Coronary artery disease. Jul 7, 2006. www.mayoclinic.com6. Texas Heart Institute. Heart Information Center. Coronary artery disease. www.texasheartinstitute.org