Heart and Blood Diseases Quiz

Heart Diseases

• Rheumatic Heart Disease:
  • Caused by an untreated infection from Streptococcus pyogenes.
  • Prevention includes immediate treatment of the bacterial infection.
  • Treatment involves medication.

Blood Diseases

• Hemophilia:

  • Blood does not clot properly, leading to uncontrollable bleeding.
  • This is a genetic disorder transmitted by the mother, mainly affecting male offspring.
  • Causes: Genetic disorder of the X chromosome.
  • Prevention: None
  • Treatment: Medication of antihemophilic factor and blood transfusions.

• Anemia:

  • The red blood cell count stays persistently low (normal count is 4.7 to 6.1 million).
  • Low hemoglobin leads to insufficient oxygen supply to cells and tissues.
  • Anemia can also be caused by the production of sickle cells (abnormal red blood cells) that do not function well.
  • Causes: Nutritional deficiency and hereditary factors.
  • Prevention: Balanced diet.
  • Treatment: Iron supplements.

• Leukemia:

  • Disorder characterized by an abnormal increase in white blood cells.
  • Considered the most dangerous blood disorder.
  • White blood cells are larger and occupy spaces for RBCs and platelets.
  • Cause: Hereditary.
  • Prevention: None.
  • Treatment: Radiation and drugs.

Blood Vessel Diseases

• Atherosclerosis:

  • Disease of the arteries associated with cholesterol buildup (plaque) inside the artery walls.
  • The blockage narrows the arteries, impeding blood flow and depriving organs and tissues of oxygen.
  • Causes: Fat deposits from unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
  • Prevention: Diet with low cholesterol, avoiding smoking, weight control and exercise.
  • Treatment: Medication, surgery, and amputation.

• Stroke:

  • Results from blockage caused by hardening of arteries in the back or neck vessels leading to the brain.
  • A blood clot fixed within a blood vessel (thrombus) can block blood flow.
  • A wandering clot (embolus) can also stop blood flow.
  • Stroke can also occur due to hemorrhage, where a diseased artery suddenly bursts.
  • Cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a patient has atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
  • Causes: Embolus, thrombus, and hemorrhage.
  • Prevention: Healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups.
  • Treatment: Medication and intensive rehabilitation.

Other Heart Diseases

• Coronary Heart Disease:

  • The inability of the blood to reach the coronary arteries of the heart can lead to coronary heart disease.
  • The reduced blood flow to the heart tissues causes a painful sensation in the chest, left arm, and shoulder called angina pectoris.
  • Causes: Aging, atherosclerosis
  • Prevention: Balanced diet, smoking cessation, exercise.
  • Treatment: Small doses of aspirin or other drugs.

• Hypertensive Heart Disease:

  • Hypertension or elevated heart pressure results from the narrowing of the arterioles (smallest arteries).
  • The narrowing causes an increase in pressure, forcing the heart to pump harder.
  • Over time, the heart muscle thickens and enlarges, becoming overworked. The burdened circulatory system breaks down, possibly causing heart failure.
  • Causes: Atherosclerosis of the arterioles.
  • Prevention: Balanced diet, exercise.
  • Treatment: Medication of antihypertensive drugs.