BLOOD
Blood looks hemogenous but it consists of formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets) and plasma (astraw-colored solution of protein and water that makes up more than half the volumn of blood). Red blood cells carry HEART
The heart is a large, hallow, muscular organ containing four chambers. The heart lies between the lungs and directly behind the sternum. An average adult heart is about the size of a clenched fist and beats 60-90 times a minute. The right atrium receives blood from the veins of the body, the right ventricle pumps the blood through the lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. This newly released blood then returns to the left atrium which pumps it into the left ventricle. The left ventricle has the responsibility has the responsibility for pumping blood through the aorta to the rest of the body.

BLOOD VESSELS
Blood vessels are classified according to their size, function and physical makeup. THere are large or elastic arteries, medium size or muscular arteries, small arteries, aterioles, capillaries, small veins enules and veins. Arteries receive blood from the heart and circulate it to body tissue. Arteries subdivide into smaller vessels and ultimately into tiny vessels. It is through the capillary walls that nutrients pass to the tissues and the waste products from the tissues and cells enter the blood. The veins and venules then carry this used blood back to the heart to be recycled through the lungs for rejuvenation and subsequently circulated through the body. Only in the pulmonary system (which carries used blood from the heart to the llungs and then back to the heart) does
a vein carry oxygenated blood and an artery carry de-oxygenated blood.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
ANEMIA: This is a deficiency of the red blood cells in number or hemoglobin content or both.

ANGINA PECTORIS: Angina (pain) pectoris (chest) refers to chest pain caused by a heart condition. It develops when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. The pain is a signal to slow down and let the heart rest before it suffers permanent damage.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Atherosclerosis is considered the primary cause of death but it does not directly acuse death. Rather it causes diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease which kills more people than cancer. It is a disease of the arteries in which fats, cholesterol, sugars and other substances accumulate in the arterial walls. The deposits of these substances are called plaques. As plaques build up over the years, the arterery narrows and the tissue organs supplied
by that artery suffers from insufficient blood flow.

CONGESTIVES HEART FAILURE
Congestive Heart Failure is a condition in which the heart does not meet the body's demand for blood circulation. The weaken heart can not pump enough blood to supply the needed oxgen and other nutrients. A person with CHF may have obesity, high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease, atherosclerosis or kidney disease. It may also occur without prior warning or known cause. CHF may affect the entire heart or onse side. When the left atrium and ventricle (left heart failure) are affected blood and fluid collect in the lungs. Right side heart failure is characterized by swelling of legs caused by a back up of blood and fluid. Therapy for CHF involves identifying and curing the underlying cause as well as treating the symptoms. The main stay of therapy is Digitalis (Lanoxin) which is used to strengthen the heartbeat and help the heart pump blood more efficiently and a
diurectic to relieve the edema by helping the kidneys excrete fluid more efficiently. Oxygen may be necessary. A strict diet must be followed and includes salt (sodium) restrictions.

HEART ATTACK
Heart attacks or myocardial infarctions (MI) occurs when a coronary artery is blocked, usually by a blood clot (coronary thrombosis). Because of the blockage, tissue death occurs in that part of the heart muscle which is no longer receiving blood and oxygen. The size and location of the lesion and rate of scar formation determines many of the smyptoms and signs as well as the rate of recovery and convalescense period. With special care for cardiac patients, the chance of surviving a heart attack is improving. Classically heart attacks cause a crushing or pressure pain around the upper third of the breastbone. The pain is often accompanied by a cold sweat, restlessness, increased heart rate and a feeling of impending dome. Wheezing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and coughing may also occur. However some people feel no pain or only mild pain and do not recognize a heart attack.

(high blood pressure covered on another page)

AS ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND GET
THOSE CHECKUPS. BE SURE AND DISCUSS ALL< PROBLEMS AND SYMPTOMS WITH YOUR DOCTOR AND FOLLOW HIS ADVICE.

*Information contained herein is intended for general informaion and is not intended to replaced your Doctor, Pharmacist or Health Care Provider*

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