Heart and Blood Diseases Quiz

Study Notes

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

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.

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.

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.