Medical Conditions Quiz: TIA and Congestive Heart Failure

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Prevention

• Diabetes Mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose due to defects in insulin secretion or action.
• Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, affecting around 200,000 Canadians, with increased risk with age and main complications being stroke and heart failure.
• Major CVD risk factors that can't be altered include heredity, aging, being male, ethnicity, and inflammation.
• Aging increases the risk of heart attack dramatically after age 65, and stroke risk increases by about 30% per decade after age 55.
• CVD is the leading killer of both men and women in Canada, with women typically developing CVD after age 50 due to the protective role of estrogen.
• Death rates from heart disease vary among ethnic groups, with First Nations and Inuit having a higher rate of CVD.
• Inflammation plays a key role in CVD development, and high CRP levels indicate an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Possible CVD risk factors being studied include elevated homocysteine, severe vitamin D deficiency, infectious agents, and elevated fibrinogen.
• Homocysteine levels, higher in men and associated with CVD risk, can be lowered by diet and supplements.
• Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with heart dysfunction.
• Gum disease and high fibrinogen levels are also potential risk factors for CVD.
• Strategies for protecting against cardiovascular disease include maintaining a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, tobacco avoidance, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, stress management, and understanding individual risk factors.

Atherosclerosis, Heart Disease, and Stroke: Key Information

• Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke.
• Main risk factors for atherosclerosis include cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus.
• Health consequences of atherosclerosis include coronary heart disease (CHD), angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, and decreased blood and oxygen supply to other organs and tissues in the body.
• Coronary thrombosis, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death are associated with heart disease and heart attacks.
• Common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include chest discomfort, upper body discomfort, shortness of breath, and other possible symptoms like sweating, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
• Women may experience different signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, cold sweat, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back, shoulders, and jaw.
• Diagnosis of heart disease may involve tests such as exercise stress test, electrocardiogram (ECG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electron beam computed tomography (EBC), echocardiograms, and angiograms.
• Treatment of heart disease may include lifestyle changes, medication, balloon angioplasty, implantation of coronary stents, and coronary bypass surgery.
• Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off and can cause permanent disability or be fatal, leading to paralysis, walking disability, speech impairment, memory loss, and changes in behavior.
• Major types of stroke include ischemic stroke, thrombotic stroke, embolic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Signs and symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, trouble seeing, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, coordination, and severe headache.
• Effective treatment of stroke involves prompt recognition of signs and symptoms, correct diagnosis, and use of clot-dissolving and antihypertensive drugs, such as tPA, which can be effective within a certain time frame. Silent strokes can occur without noticeable symptoms, leading to a higher risk of subsequent and more serious strokes.