Diseases of the Cardiovascular

(Circulatory) System

What is it? Inadequate # of RBC

Sx? Pallor (paleness) dyspnea, fatigue, rapid HR

Tx? Green leafy vegetables, medication, blood

transfusion or bone marrow transplant in severe cases

Anemia

What is it? Ballooning out of an artery wall.

Sx: Pain, pressure (maybe)….typically no symptoms

at all

Tx: Surgical repair

Aneurysm

What is it?Hardening of arterial walls

Sx: Hypertension

Tx:Decrease BP (diet, medication)

Arteriosclerosis

What is it?Cholesterol deposits (or plaque) that lines the

inside of a vessel wall

Sx: HTN (hypertension)

Tx: Low cholesterol diet, angioplasty

Atherosclerosis

What is it?Muscle of the heart cant beat adequately

Sx:Cyanosis, cough, edema, SOB, weak pulse

Tx:Medication, O2, Diuretics, low Na diet

CHF

What is it?Foreign substance in blood stream

Sx: SOB, Chest pain

Tx: Medication, surgery (must be treated

QUICKLY)

Embolus

What is it?Disease that causes the blood not to clot

Sx:Bleeding

Tx:Blood transfusions

Hemophilia

What is it?Increased blood pressure (> 140/90)

Sx:Increased blood pressure , dizziness

Tx:Medication, diet, reduce stress

Hypertension

What is it?Malignant disease of the bone marrow or

lymph tissue

Sx:Fever, swollen lymph node, anemia, easily

bruised

Tx:Chemotherapy, Radiation, Bone marrow

transplant

Leukemia

What is it?“Heart Attack” A blockage in the coronary

arteries cuts the blood supply to the heart

Sx: Chest pain, N/V, diaphoresis, dyspnea, pain in jaw

and arm, change in BP

Tx:Medication, diet, exercise, CABG (coronary artery

bypass graft),

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

What is it?Inflammation of a vein

Sx:Pain, edema, redness

Tx:Medication, elevation, surgery

Phlebitis

What is it?Dilated swollen veins

Sx:Pain, Swelling, Burning

Tx:Exercise, medication, surgery

Varicose Veins