Cardiovascular Diseases PDF 2024-2025

Title: Cardiovascular Diseases Dr. Sabah Hassan Alwan M.B.Ch.B, DM, CABM 2024-2025 Introduction to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) De nition and Ove iew Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a wide range of disorders that a ect the hea and blood vessels. These conditions may include coron...

Title: Cardiovascular Diseases Dr. Sabah Hassan Alwan M.B.Ch.B, DM, CABM 2024-2025 Introduction to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) De nition and Ove iew Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a wide range of disorders that a ect the hea and blood vessels. These conditions may include corona a e disease (CAD), hea failure, stroke, hype ension, and peripheral a e disease. CVDs are among the leading causes of death globally, contributing to signi cant morbidity, mo ality, and healthcare costs. Epidemiology According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CVDs account for approximately 17.9 million deaths each year, representing 32% of all global deaths. Risk factors for CVDs va widely across populations and are in uenced by lifestyle choices, genetics, and environmental factors. Incidence of CVDs increases with age, and they are more prevalent in men in earlier life but become more common in women after menopause. Types of Cardiovascular Diseases Corona A e Disease (CAD): Narrowing of the corona a eries that supply the hea with oxygen-rich blood. It is the most common type of hea disease. Stroke: A sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain, leading to ischemia and potential brain damage. Hea Failure: A condition in which the hea cannot pump blood e ciently to meet the body’s needs. Hype ension (High Blood Pressure): Consistently high pressure within the a eries, increasing the hea 's workload and the risk of other CVDs. Peripheral A e Disease (PAD): Blockage of a eries supplying the limbs, especially the legs, resulting in poor circulation. Pathophysiology of CVDs Atherosclerosis: A central pathological process in most cardiovascular diseases, it involves the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the a eries, leading to reduced blood ow. This process begins with endothelial dysfunction, which allows lipids to accumulate in the a erial walls, followed by in ammation and formation of brous plaques. As the plaque grows, it can either block the a e entirely or rupture, causing thrombosis (clot formation), leading to hea attacks or strokes. Risk Factors Cardiovascular disease risk factors are classi ed as modi able and non- modi able. Non-modi able risk factors: Age: CVD risk increases with age. Gender: Men are at higher risk at an earlier age, but after menopause, women's risk increases. Family histo : Genetic predisposition to hea disease or stroke. Ethnicity: Ce ain ethnic groups have higher risks, such as African Americans for hype ension. Modi able risk factors: Smoking: Signi cantly increases the risk of hea disease and stroke. Unhealthy diet: High in saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. Physical inactivity: Sedenta lifestyle leads to obesity and increased CVD risk. Obesity: Excess body weight, especially around the abdomen, is a major risk factor. High cholesterol and hype ension: Both contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Diabetes: Increases the risk of CVD by two to four times. Symptoms of CVDs Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases va depending on the condition but often include: Chest pain (angina): Especially during physical exe ion, indicating ischemia. Sho ness of breath: Often a sign of hea failure or hea valve problems. Palpitations: Irregular hea beats, which can be symptomatic of arrhythmias. Dizziness or fainting (syncope): May occur in hea rhythm disorders or severe hea failure. Leg pain: Claudication in peripheral a e disease. Diagnosis of CVDs Histo and physical examination: A detailed clinical histo to evaluate symptoms, lifestyle, and risk factors. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures electrical activity of the hea , commonly used to detect arrhythmias, myocardial infarction (hea attack), or ischemia. Echocardiogram: Ultrasound imaging of the hea to assess structure and function. Stress tests: Evaluate how the hea works under physical exe ion. Corona Angiography: Imaging of corona a eries to detect blockages. Blood tests: Measuring markers like troponins, cholesterol, and glucose levels SINUS ARRHYTHMIA Phasic alteration of the hea rate during respiration (the sinus rate increases during inspiration and slows during expiration) is a consequence of normal parasympathetic ner vous system activity and can be pronounced in children. Absence of this normal variation in hear trate with breathing or with changes in posture may be a feature of autonomic neuropathy. SINUS BRADYCARDIA A sinus rate of less than 60/min may occur in healthy people at rest and is a common f inding in athletes. Some pathological causes are listed in. Asymptomatic sinus bradycardia requires no treatment. Symptomatic sinus bradycardia usually responds to intravenous atropine 0.6-1.2 mg. SINUS TACHYCARDIA This is def ined as a sinus rate of more than 100/min, and is usually due to an increase in sympathetic activity associated with exercise, emotion, pregnancy or pathology. Young adults can produce a rapid sinus rate, up to 200/min, during intense exercise Supraventricular tachycardia Atrial brillation Sinus bradycardia Sinus tachycardia Myocardial infarction Anxiety Sinus node disease Fever (sick sinus syndrome) Anaemia Hypothermia Hea failure Hypothyroidism (bronchodilators) Cholestatic jaundice Thyrotoxicosis Raised intracranial Phaeochromocytoma pressure Drugs, e.g. β-adrenoceptor Drugs, e.g. β-blocker, agonists digoxin, verapamil Management and Treatment Lifestyle Modi cations: Encouraging a hea -healthy diet, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and maintaining a healthy weight. Medications: These may include: Antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin) to reduce clot formation. Statins to lower cholesterol. Antihype ensives to control blood pressure. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors to manage hea failure or prevent recurrent hea attacks. Surgical Inte entions: For severe cases, inte entions like corona a e bypass grafting (CABG), angioplasty, or implantable devices (e.g., pacemakers, de brillators) may Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases Prima prevention focuses on reducing the risk factors in healthy individuals, such as promoting physical activity and a balanced diet. Seconda prevention aims at preventing recurrent events in people who have already had a cardiovascular event, involving more aggressive management of risk factors like cholesterol, hype ension, and diabetes. Global Burden and Challenges Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for signi cant socioeconomic impacts, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the access to healthcare resources may be limited. The rise in CVDs correlates with the increase in risk factors such as urbanization, sedenta lifestyles, and poor dieta choices. There is an urgent need for public health policies aimed at reducing CVD prevalence through education, prevention programs, and improved access to healthcare. Thank you for your attention