10.6 - Health Issues Related to the Human Circulatory System

Necessity for a Healthy Circulatory System

• A healthy circulatory system supports optimum health.
• Maintain it through a balanced, low-fat diet, regular exercise, not smoking and not drinking alcohol.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Atherosclerosis

• Formation and deposition of plaque on the inner arterial wall.
• Plaque consists of cholesterol, lipid, dead muscle tissues and coagulated platelets.
• Plaque clogs and narrows the lumen; restricted blood flow can cause hypertension.

Arteriosclerosis

• Atherosclerosis is the early stage of arteriosclerosis.
• Calcium deposits on plaque cause the artery to harden and lose elasticity.

Angina and Myocardial Infarction

• A narrowed coronary artery reduces oxygen supply to cardiac muscles and causes angina (severe chest pain).
• Complete blockage causes myocardial infarction (heart attack); cardiac muscle tissue dies.

Hypertension and Stroke

• Restricted blood flow can cause hypertension.
• Hypertension may rupture fine arteries; if this occurs in the brain, it causes stroke.
• A thrombus that blocks blood flow in the brain can also cause stroke.