Cardiovascular system and associated disorders

Presented by: Richa sharma

Cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system is sometimes called the blood-vascular or simply the circulatory system. It consists of the heart, which is a muscular pumping device, and a closed system of vessels called arteries, veins, and capillaries. As the name implies, blood contained in the circulatory system is pumped by the heart around a closed circle or circuit of vessels as it passes again and again through the various "circulations" of the body.

Circulation of blood
The circulation of blood in the human body basically follows three pathways: Pulmonary circulation Systemic circulation Coronary circulation

Circulation in detail
Systemic circulation Systemic circulation is the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart, to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Arteries always take blood away from the heart, regardless of their oxygenation, and veins always bring blood back. In general, arteries bring oxygenated blood to the tissues; veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

 Pulmonary circulation Pulmonary circulation is the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygen-depleted blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart. De-oxygenated blood enters the right atrium of the heart and flows into the right ventricle where it is pumped through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs. Pulmonary veins return the now oxygen-rich blood to the heart, where it enters the left atrium before flowing into the left ventricle. From the left ventricle the oxygen-rich blood is pumped out via the aorta, and on to the rest of the body.

Coronary circulation:
The coronary circulatory system provides a blood supply to the heart. As it provides oxygenated blood to the heart, it is by definition a part of the systemic circulatory system.

Disorders of the cardiovascular system

Arteriosclerosis:
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting arterial blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low density (especially small particle) lipoproteins . . It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.[1]

Causes:
It is generally caused due to diabetes, syphilis, and lead poisoning. Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure ageing and family history.

Heart enlargement
Cardiac enlargement refers to an increase in the size of the heart. There are two types of cardiac enlargement: hypertrophy and dilation Hypertrophy involves an increase in the thickness of the heart muscle. Dilation involves an increase in the size of the inside cavity of a chamber of the heart. Hypertrophy usually occurs in only one chamber while dilation may occur in one, two, three, or all of the chambers, based on its cause. Hypertrophy, occurs in response to increased stress on the heart. The most common causes of hypertrophy are related to increased blood pressure in either the lungs or the body. The extra work of pumping blood against the increased pressure causes the ventricle to thicken over time.

Causes:
Excessive stress, hypertension, use of cocaine

Valvular heart disease

Valvular heart disease is any disease process involving one or more of the valves of the heart (the aortic and mitral valves on the left and the pulmonary and tricuspid valves on the right). Valve problems may be congenital (inborn) or acquired (due to another cause later in life).

Causes:

Due to age- the heart valves becomes stenotic due to calcification Heart attack- damaging the supporting muscles of the valves. Due to the use of certain antibodies.

Heart murmurs
Murmurs are abnormal heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow which is sufficient to produce audible noise. This most commonly results from narrowing or leaking of valves or the presence of abnormal passages through which blood flows in or near the heart. They sometimes result from harmless flow characteristics of no clinical significance.

Causes:
Generally congenital- abnormal development of heart tissues. Can also be caused by heart failure infection

Cardiac arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia is a condition in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. And consequently, the heart beat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular. Some arrhythmias are life-threatening that can result in cardiac arrest and sudden death. Others cause aggravating symptoms such as an abnormal awareness of heart beat, and may be merely annoying. Causes: Diabetes, ageing, and hyperthyroidism, side effects of certain drugs.

 Bradycardia: A slow rhythm, (less than 60 beats/min), is labelled bradycardia. This may be caused by a slowed signal from the sinus node (termed sinus bradycardia), a pause in the normal activity of the sinus node (termed sinus arrest), or by blocking of the electrical impulse on its way from the atria to the ventricles (termed AV block or heart block) or because of damage to the node.

 Tachycardia:
Any heart rate faster than 100 beats/min. Increased heart rate is a normal response to physical exercise or emotional stress. This is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system on the sinus node, and is called sinus tachycardia. Other things that increase sympathetic nervous system activity in the heart include ingested or injected substances such as caffeine or amphetamines, and an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Aneurysm
An aneurysm (or aneurism) is a localized, blood-filled dilation (balloon-like bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall. Aneurysms most commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and in the aorta (the main artery coming out of the heart), a so-called aortic aneurysm. The bulge in a blood vessel can burst and lead to death at any time. The larger an aneurysm becomes, the more likely it is to burst and since aneurysms naturally grow, given enough time they will inevitably reach the bursting point if undetected. Causes: Arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, tobacco abuse, inherited conditions etc.

Phlebitis
It is the inflammation of veins. The infected vein becomes swollen and there is a danger of blood clotting inside it. These clots can also break off and get carried to distant parts of the body such as heart and legs etc. Causes: Injury, infection, child birth Complication of pneumonia and typhoid

Varicose veins
varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. They can be termed as "any dilated, elongated and tortuous vein irrespective of size". Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (retrograde). Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart. When veins become enlarged, the leaflets of the valves no longer meet properly, and the valves don't work. The blood, hence collects in the veins and they enlarge even more. Varicose veins are common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful, especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers. Serious complications are rare.

Causes:
Ageing- decreases the elasticity of veins Vein damage and infection(as in typhoid) Inherent.

Thank you