Week 4 Discussion Cardiovascular Disorders

Week 4 Discussion Cardiovascular Disorders

Need Help Writing an Essay?

Our team of talented writers is ready to assist. We offer essay writing help in over 75 disciplines, ensuring a convenient and comprehensive solution for all your academic needs!

Get Help Now!

Veins and arteries are vital elements of the cardiovascular system. They carry the blood supply through the body and are essential for proper function. Sometimes veins and arteries malfunction, resulting in cardiovascular disorders. Malfunctions of arteries and veins are similar to malfunctions of a water hose. Consider the structure and function of a hose. A tap releases water, which then travels through the hose and comes out the other end. If the hose has been dormant for several months, dirt and rusty particles might build up inside, resulting in a restricted flow of water. Similarly, buildup of plaque inside the coronary arteries restricts blood flow and leads to disorders such as coronary heart disease. This disease is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders, and according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2011), is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. In this Discussion, you examine the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders such as coronary heart disease.

To prepare:

•Review this week’s media presentation on alterations of cardiovascular functions, as well as Chapter 23 in the Huether and McCance text. Identify the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders.
•Select one patient factor: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Consider how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders.
•Select one of the following alterations of cardiovascular disorders: peripheral arterial disease, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or dysrhythmia. Think about how hypertension or dyslipidemia can lead to the alteration you selected.
Post on or before Day 3 a description of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders, including how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology. Then, explain how hypertension or dyslipidemia can lead to the alteration you selected for patients with the factor you identified.

Cardiovascular Disorders
The heart is one of the most important organs of the body. Its function is to pump blood to various body parts. It works together with veins, arteries and other vessels and organs to enable nutrients and oxygen reach the rest of the body via blood. Sometimes, due to various factors, this transport system may be hindered resulting to various conditions such as ischaemia (lack of oxygen) and death of tissues. Cardiovascular disorders such as coronary heart disease are some of the consequences of this breakdown in the transport system (Huether, 2005).
The heart muscles (myocardial muscles) are supplied by the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen and nutrients. When they are blocked, blood and therefore oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the myocardial muscles. This results to death these muscles and may lead to heart failure. Blockage of the coronary arteries may be due to a number of reasons. There could be formation of a thrombus or blood clot that hinders flow of blood. In other cases, the blockage may be due to deposition of fat on the inner lining of the arterial walls causing narrowing of the arteries. The type of fat frequently involved in this case are low density lipoproteins (LDL) Narrow arteries also hinder the normal flow of blood (Kusumoto, 1999).
images (43)
Studies reveal that occurrence of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease runs in the genes. The gene for hypercholesterolemia runs in some families (Virmani, 2001). In such situations, it is likely that the offspring will develop coronary artery disease and therefore coronary heart disease due to blockage of the arteries.
Hyperlipidemia is the occurrence of high lipid levels in the body. High lipid levels precipitate the deposition of lipids on the arterial walls, thereby leading to coronary artery disease. Hyperlipidemia may be due to excessive consumption of fatty foods or due lack of mechanisms for proper breakdown of lipids. The latter is inheritable since it is of genetic origin.