Understanding Heart Disease

In this lesson, you will Learn About…

Different types of heart disease.

How heart disease is treated.

What you can do to reduce your risk for

developing heart disease.

Understanding Heart Disease

The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are:

Arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis.

Heart attack.

Hypertension.

Stroke.

Angioplasty.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is any condition that reduces the strength or functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Heart disease kills more American adults than any other cause of death.

A high-fat diet, lack of physical activity, and genetic factors may all contribute to the development of heart disease.

Types of Heart Disease

Conditions that affect the arteries are called arterial diseases.

Arteriosclerosis is a group of disorders that causes a thickening and hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when fatty substances build up on the inner lining of arteries.

Healthy coronary artery

Coronary artery with atherosclerosis

Types of Heart Disease (cont’d.)

Because arterial diseases slow blood flow to the heart, they increase the risk of a heart attack. During a heart attack, a coronary artery becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. Because the blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the heart and muscle tissue, the tissue dies.

Coronary arteriesAtherosclerosis

Blood clot

Area of tissue death

Coronary arteries

Related Disorders and Conditions

Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure stays at a level that is higher than normal.

Arterial diseases don’t just affect the heart. They can also damage the brain. A stroke is a serious condition that occurs when an artery of the brain breaks or becomes blocked.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

What Doctors Can Do

Treatment for heart disease depends on the person’s age, the type of heart disease, and the extent of the problem.

Possible treatments include the following:

Angioplasty Medication Pacemaker Bypass surgery Heart transplant

What You Can Do

Making healthful choices now can decrease your risk of developing heart disease later.

Follow these tips to keep your heart healthy:

Participate in regular physical activity. Maintain a healthy weight. Manage stress. Avoid using tobacco.

Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. Define the terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis is a group of disorders that causes a thickening and hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis, a form of arteriosclerosis, is a condition that occurs when fatty substances build up on the inner lining of arteries.

Reviewing Terms and Facts

2. What is a stroke?

A stroke is a serious condition that occurs when an artery of the brain breaks or becomes blocked.

Thinking Critically

3.Why do you think heart disease is the number one killer in the United Sates?

Vocabulary Review

Arteriosclerosis is a group of disorders that causes a thickening and hardening of the arteries.

Vocabulary Review

Atherosclerosis, a form of arteriosclerosis, is a condition that occurs when fatty substances build up on the inner lining of arteries.

Vocabulary Review

A heart attack is a serious condition that occurs when the blood supply to the heart slows or stops and the heart muscle is damaged.

Vocabulary Review

Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure stays at a level that is higher than normal.

Vocabulary Review

A stroke is a serious condition that occurs when an artery of the brain breaks or becomes blocked.

Vocabulary Review

Angioplasty is a surgical procedure in which an instrument with a tiny balloon attached is inserted into an artery to clear a blockage.