10.6 Health Issues Related to the Human Circulatory System
Learn about cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke, as well as ways to maintain a healthy circulatory system.
Learning Objectives
- State the importance of maintaining a healthy circulatory system.
- Identify practices that promote a healthy circulatory system.
- Describe various cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
- Explain the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of plaque formation and blood clots in arteries.
Progression of Cardiovascular Disease and Coronary Blockage
A step-by-step cross-section of an artery showing plaque deposition, hardening, thrombus formation, and the effect on the heart.
Short Explanation
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the country. They refer to diseases involving the heart and blood circulatory system.
Atherosclerosis
The formation and deposition of plaque on the inner walls of arteries. Plaque consists of cholesterol, lipid, dead muscle tissues, and coagulated platelets. It clogs and narrows the lumen of blood vessels, restricting blood flow.
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the early stage of arteriosclerosis. It occurs when calcium is deposited on the plaque, causing the artery wall to become hard and lose its elasticity.
Hypertension
High blood pressure caused by restricted blood flow due to narrowed arteries. High blood pressure can cause fine arteries to rupture.
Stroke
Occurs when fine arteries in the brain break due to hypertension, or when blood clots (thrombus) clog the flow of blood to the brain.
Angina
Severe chest pain caused by the narrowing of the coronary artery lumen. It results in an insufficient supply of oxygen to the cardiac (heart) muscles.
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Occurs when a coronary artery is completely clogged by plaque or a blood clot. It leads to lack of oxygen and the death of cardiac muscle tissues.
Application of Technology (STEM Bulletin)
Nanotechnology is used in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis and plaque formation. Nanoparticles are engineered to resemble high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or "good" cholesterol) to help reduce arterial plaque.
Try to Answer First
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What substances form the plaque found in atherosclerosis?
What is the difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis?
How does a myocardial infarction occur?
Common Mistakes
- Confusing atherosclerosis with arteriosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is the initial deposition of fatty plaque, whereas arteriosclerosis is the subsequent hardening and loss of arterial elasticity due to calcium deposition.
- Confusing angina with myocardial infarction: Angina is severe chest pain due to partial narrowing of the coronary artery and reduced oxygen supply, while myocardial infarction is a heart attack caused by complete blockage leading to tissue death.
- Assuming stroke only occurs due to high blood pressure: A stroke can also be caused directly by a blood clot (thrombus) that clogs blood flow in the brain.
Concept Misunderstandings
Plaque in arteries is composed only of pure cholesterol.
Plaque is a mixture of cholesterol, lipid, dead muscle tissues, and coagulated platelets.
A heart attack means the heart instantly bursts or stops beating mechanically for no reason.
A myocardial infarction is caused by the blockage of the coronary arteries, which deprives the cardiac muscle cells of oxygen, leading to tissue death.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) causes plaque buildup.
HDL is "good" cholesterol that helps reduce plaque, which is why nanoparticles in medicine are engineered to mimic HDL.
Summary
- A healthy circulatory system is maintained through a low-fat diet, regular exercise, refraining from smoking, and avoiding alcoholic drinks.
- Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arterial lumen due to plaque deposition (cholesterol, lipid, dead muscle cells, coagulated platelets).
- Arteriosclerosis is the hardening and loss of elasticity of arteries due to calcium deposition on the plaque.
- Hypertension is high blood pressure resulting from restricted blood flow.
- Stroke occurs when brain arteries burst from hypertension or are clogged by a thrombus.
- Angina is chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen reaching heart muscles through narrowed coronary arteries.
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs when coronary arteries are completely clogged, resulting in the death of cardiac muscle tissues.
Short Activity
Objective: identify cardiovascular diseases and their causes.
A. Objective Quiz
What causes arteriosclerosis to develop from atherosclerosis?
Which condition is characterized by severe chest pain resulting from an insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscles due to narrowed coronary arteries?
B. Fill in the Blanks
A complete blockage of the coronary artery that cuts off oxygen supply and causes cardiac muscle tissues to die leads to a condition called .
Nanoparticles designed to treat atherosclerosis are engineered to resemble cholesterol to help reduce arterial plaque.
C. Matching / Drag and Drop
Drag each cardiovascular condition to its correct description. On a phone, tap a choice first, then tap the matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
C. Match the Cardiovascular Condition to Its Description
Write the correct condition next to each description.
| Description | Condition |
|---|---|
| 1. Formation and deposition of plaque consisting of cholesterol, lipid, dead muscle, and platelets on artery walls. | |
| 2. Hardening and loss of elasticity of the artery due to calcium deposition on plaque. | |
| 3. Condition caused by fine brain arteries rupturing or blood clots clogging blood flow in the brain. | |
| 4. Severe chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen supply to cardiac muscles due to narrowed coronary arteries. |
Answer choices: Atherosclerosis • Arteriosclerosis • Stroke • Angina
