Community Health/ Diseases and Disorders, Part 9
Question 1: What are the uncontrollable factors relating to cardiovascular health?
Answer 1: Unfortunately, some characteristics associated with a greater risk of heart disease are beyond the control of any individual. Many problematic traits can be inherited, so individuals whose families have a history of heart trouble are more at risk for cardiovascular problems than individuals from heart-healthy families African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to develop high blood pressure. Age is also a factor in heart disease; most of the people who die from cardiovascular problems are over the age of 65. Men have a greater risk of heart trouble than women; this may be because estrogen helps to produce beneficial high-density proteins. Interestingly, bald men under the age of 55 are more likely to have a heart attack than men of a similar age but with a full head of hair.
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Question 2: Describe and discuss coronary artery spasms.
Answer 2: Occasionally, the arteries surrounding the heart will contract for no apparent reason, reducing or even cutting off entirely the flow of blood. These kinds of spasms can cause angina, heart attacks, and can even be fatal themselves. Coronary artery spasms may be caused by the clumping of platelets, which will cause the blood vessels to become narrower. Smoking is also linked with this heart problem, and many smokers who quit notice an immediate relief from their coronary pain. There is also a great deal of speculation that stress plays a significant role in causing this heart condition. Doctors have observed that a spasm may result if too much calcium flows into the heart tissue. This level, however, is not directly related to dietary calcium.
Question 3: Describe and discuss heart rate abnormalities.
Answer 3: The human heart has an electrical system that regulates the speed of its contractions. There are a few common conditions that affect the speed and regularity of these beats. Tachycardia is a condition in which the heart beats very quickly, over 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia, on the other hand, is when the heart beats under 60 times per minute. This may not necessarily be a health problem; on the contrary, in some individuals it is a sign of excellent fitness. When atrial fibrillation occurs, electrical impulses spread throughout the heart, even as the ventricles continue to beat. This causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Many people who have an abnormal heartbeat are aided by the use of a pacemaker, which is a battery-powered system that delivers precisely regulated shocks to the heart.
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