Cardiovascular Body System
By: Holly Nyquist
Functions:
1. Transportation
~Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
~Nutrients
~Hormones
2. Regulates body temperature by distributing heat throughout the body and by assisting in retaining/releasing heat from the body
3. Some cells help with the body's immunity
Major Organs
1. Heart
2. Blood Vessels
~Arteries: vessels carrying blood away from the heart
~Veins: vessels carrying blood towards the heart
~Capillaries: tiny vessels that connect arterioles and venules
3. Blood Cells
~Red Blood Cells: transports oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body
~White Blood Cells: destroys bacteria/viruses and fight malignant diseases
~Platelets: aids in the blood clotting process (blocks the blood flow from damaged blood vessels)
Homeostatic Imbalances
Dilated Cardiomyopathy:
Symptoms:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Swelling of lower extremities
- Shortness of breath
Causes:
- Congenital (passed down from family members)
- Viral Infections
- Alcoholism
Treatment:
- Medications (blood thinners)
Coronary Artery Disease:
Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Increased Heartbeat
- Weakness/dizziness
Causes:
- Plaque build up in arteries
- Arteries harden from the plaque
Treatment:
- Surgery (stent inserted)
Heart Valve Disease:
Symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Swollen ankles, feet, and/or abdomen
- Fatigue
- Weakness/lightheaded
- Shortness of breath
Causes:
- Congenital
- Infection
Treatment:
- Surgery
The New CPR
Studies have shown that during CPR, medical professionals and other helpers should not breath for the patient and instead just compress down on the chest to keep the heart beating. These current changes only apply to adult patients when they are going through cardiac arrest. This is because there is enough oxygen in the blood stream so the patient needs the heart to beat more than the body needs oxygen. It has proven to be harmful to the patient to stop and do breaths because the rescuer stops the compressions. The new guidelines are to have faster and harder compressions to the patient. This new process is call CCR instead of CPR.
Work Cited
- "Heart Valve Disease Treatments."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/valve-disease-treatment>.
- "About Heart Valve Disease." Heart Valve Disease – Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors and Diagnosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.medtronic.com/patients/heart-valve-disease/>.
- "Coronary artery disease." Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/basics/definition/con-20032038>.
- "Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/diseases-cardiovascular>.
- "Dilated cardiomyopathy." Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dilated-cardiomyopathy/basics/definition/con-20032887>.
- Hellerman, Caleb. "New CPR is spelled C-A-B." CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/18/c