CARDIOVASCULAR
DISEASES
AND HYPERTENSION
-DTN. ADIMCHI DIKE ADILE

OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)
• General risk factors of CVD
• General symptoms of CVD
• Hypertension
• Medical Nutrition Therapy

INTRODUCTION
• The cardiovascular, or circulatory, system supplies the body with blood. It consists of
the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
• The cardiovascular (cardio – heart, vascular – blood vessels) system is divided for
descriptive purposes into two main parts:
• the heart, whose pumping action ensures constant circulation of the blood
• the blood vessels, which form a lengthy network through which the blood flows.
The heart pumps blood into two anatomically separate systems of blood vessels:
• the pulmonary circulation
• the systemic circulation.

INTRODUCTION
• The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs (the pulmonary circulation)
where gas exchange occurs, i.e. the blood collects oxygen from the air sacs and
excess carbon dioxide diffuses into the air sacs for exhalation. The left side of the
heart pumps blood into the systemic circulation, which supplies the rest of the body.
Here, tissue wastes are passed into the blood for excretion, and body cells extract
nutrients and O2.
• The circulatory system ensures a continuous flow of blood to all body cells, and its
function is subject to continual physiological adjustments to maintain an adequate
blood supply. The heart weighs between 200g to 425g. Each day, the average heart
beats 100,000 times, pumping about 2000gallons (7571 litres) of blood.
• Should the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body cells become inadequate, tissue
damage occurs, and cell death may follow. Disease of the cardiovascular system is
likely to have significant consequences, not only for the heart and blood vessels, but
also for other body systems,.

Direction of blood flow through
the heart.

INTRODUCTION
The relationship between the pulmonary and
the systemic circulations.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or
blood vessels.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.
• An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32% of all
global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.
• Over three quarters of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.
• Out of the 17 million premature deaths (under the age of 70) due to
noncommunicable diseases in 2019, 38% were caused by CVDs.
• Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk
factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and
harmful use of alcohol.
• It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that
management with counselling and medicines can begin.

TYPES OF CVD
• CVD comprises many different types of condition. Some of these might develop at
the same time or lead to other conditions or diseases within the group.
• Diseases and conditions that affect the heart include:
Coronary Artery Disease occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart
muscle is blocked or reduced resulting from the narrowing of the coronary arteries by
a gradual build – up of fatty materials within their walls. Coronary arteries are the
arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen – rich blood. This puts an increased
strain on the heart, and can lead to:
Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris involves chest pain or discomfort from decreased blood flow to the
myocardium from decreased oxygen supply (often during exertion). Angina is a
warning sign that a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction) may occur.

TYPES OF CVD
Myocardial Infarction
Myocardial infarction is the technical name for a heart attack. A heart attack occurs
when an artery leading to the heart becomes completely blocked and the heart does
not get enough blood or oxygen. Therefore, M.I is necrosis in the heart muscle caused
by prolonged inadequate blood supply or oxygen deficit.
Heart (cardiac) failure
The heart is described as failing when the cardiac output is unable to maintain the
circulation of sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body. In mild cases, cardiac
output is adequate at rest and becomes inadequate only when increased cardiac
output is required, e.g. in exercise. Heart failure may affect either side of the heart, but
since both sides of the heart are part of one circuit, when one half of the pump begins
to fail it frequently leads to increased strain on, and eventual failure of, the other side.
• Acute heart failure
• Chronic heart failure.

TYPES OF CVD
Angina Pectoris

TYPES OF CVD
Myocardial infarction

TYPES OF CVD
Heart Failure

TYPES OF CVD
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis involves progressive narrowing and loss of elasticity in the blood vessel wall
caused by accumulation of plaques. The heart, brain and leg arteries are most often
affected.
Strokes and TIAs
• A stroke is where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which can cause brain
damage and possibly death.
• A transient ischaemic attack (also called a TIA or "mini-stroke") is similar, but the blood
flow to the brain is only temporarily disrupted.
Peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there's a blockage in the arteries to the limbs,
usually the legs.
Cardiac arrhythmia refers to a group of conditions that cause the heart to beat irregular,
too slowly, or too quickly. There are several categories of arrhythmia, including:
bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat. tachycardia, or a fast heartbeat. irregular heartbeat, also
known as a flutter or fibrillation.

TYPES OF CVD
Aortic disease
• Aortic diseases are a group of conditions affecting the aorta. This is the largest
blood vessel in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
• One of most common aortic diseases is an aortic aneurysm, where the aorta
becomes weakened and bulges outwards.
• This doesn't usually have any symptoms, but there's a chance it could burst and
cause life-threatening bleeding.
Hypertensive Heart Disease
Hypertensive heart disease refers to heart problems that occur because of high blood
pressure. In general, the heart problems associated with high blood pressure relate to
the heart’s arteries and muscles. The types of hypertensive heart disease include:

TYPES OF CVD
• Narrowing of the arteries
Coronary arteries transport blood to your heart muscle. When high blood pressure causes
the blood vessels to become narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow or stop. This
condition is known as coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease.
• Thickening and enlargement of the heart
High blood pressure makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood. Like other muscles in
your body, regular hard work causes your heart muscles to thicken and grow. These changes
usually happen in the main pumping chamber of the heart, the left ventricle. The condition
is known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
Congenital Heart Disease
An abnormality in the heart that develops before birth. The problem can affect:
• the heart walls
• the heart valves
• the blood vessels

RISK FACTORS OF CVD
High blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most important risk factors for CVD.
If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels.
Smoking
Smoking and other tobacco use is also a significant risk factor for CVD. The harmful
substances in tobacco can damage and narrow your blood vessels.
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. If you have high cholesterol, it can
cause your blood vessels to narrow and increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
Diabetes
Inactivity
Being overweight or obese
Family history of CVD

RISK FACTORS OF CVD
Ethnic background
CVD is more common in people of south Asian and an African or Caribbean
background.
This is because people from these backgrounds are more likely to have other risk factors
for CVD, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
Other risk factors
Other factors that affect your risk of developing CVD include:
• age – CVD is most common in people over 50 and your risk of developing it increases
as you get older
• gender – men are more likely to develop CVD at an earlier age than women
• diet – an unhealthy diet can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• alcohol – excessive alcohol consumption can also increase your cholesterol and blood
pressure levels, and contribute to weight gain

SYMPTOMS OF CVD
Heart disease symptoms depend on the type of heart disease.
• Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts
of the body are narrowed
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back
• Breathlessness with activity or at rest
• Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
• Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
• Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting
• Fatigue
• Fluid build up
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting

SYMPTOMS OF CVD
Symptoms of congenital heart disease
• Pale gray or blue skin color (cyanosis)
• Swelling in the legs, abdomen or areas around the eyes
• In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain
• Easily getting short of breath during exercise or activity
• Easily tiring during exercise or activity
• Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet

HYPERTENSION
Hypertension also referred as high blood pressure is a condition in which the arteries have
persistently elevated blood pressure above 140/90mmHg.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher
the pressure, the harder the heart pumps.
Hypertension can lead to damaged organs, as well as several illnesses, such as renal failure,
aneurism, heart failure, stroke or heart attack.
Classification of hypertension:
• Essential- hypertension of unknown cause, It is the most common chronic disease of
industrialized societies, particularly among the middle and old age group. It is the major
contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease, stroke and renal failure.
• Secondary- hypertension with a known direct cause, such as Kidney diseases, tumors or
birth control pills.

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Smoking
Nicotine raises blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels.
Obesity or being over weight
Diabetes
Sedentary life style
Lack of Physical activity
High level of salt intake (sodium sensitivity).
Insufficient calcium, potassium and magnesium consumption.
High level of alcohol consumption
Stress
• Aging
• Medicines such as birth control drugs.
• family history of hypertension/heredity
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors.
• Sex males have high BP than females.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
About 33% of people with hypertension do not know that they have high blood pressure
and this ignorance can last for years, for this reason, it is advisable to undergo periodic
blood pressure screenings even when no symptoms are present.
• Severe headache
• Fatigue or confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Problems with vision
• Chest pain
• Breathing problems
• Irregular heart beat
• Blood in urine.

CLASSIFICATION OF BLOOD PRESSURE FOR ADULT AGE OF 18 YEARS OR OLDER
Source: Whelpton PK. Epidemiology of hypertension. Lancet
Category Systolic Bp (mmHg) Diastolic Bp (mmHg)
Optimal <120 <80
Normal 120-129 80-84
High normal 130-139 85-89
Hypertension
Stage 1 140-179 70-99
Stage 2 160-179 100-109
Stage 3 180-209 110-119
Stage 4 > 210 > 120

MANAGEMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Non Drug Treatment
• Weight reduction – weight reduction in the obese lowers blood pressure.
• Exercise
• Stop smoking
• Stop intake of alcohol
• DASH Diet
• Low Sodium Diets
2.3g = 100mmol = mild low sodium diet
1.2g = 50mmol = moderately low sodium diet
0.6g = 25mmol = restricted low sodium diet
• Increase Potassium Intake
• Increase Vegetable Intake

DASH DIET(DIETARY APPROACHES TO STOP HYPERTENSION)
• This emphasizes a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low fat or non-fat dairy products that
provide high intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium sources. Sodium intake should
be between 1500mg to 2400mg per day,(the lower the better). Weight loss, regular
exercise and limiting alcohol.

TOP CATEGORIES OF HIGH –SODIUM FOODS
• Smoked, processed, or cured meats and fish (eg., ham, bacon, corned beef, hot dogs,
sausage, salt pork, chipped beef, tuna and sardines).
• Tomato juices and tomato sauce (ketchup), unless labeled otherwise.
• Meat extracts, bouillon cubes, meat sauces, Monosodium glutamate and taco seasoning.
• Salted snacks (potato chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, salted nuts, popcorn and crackers).
• Prepared salad dressings, condiments, relishes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, cocktail sauce, soy
sauce, commercial salad dressings, etc.
• Packaged mixes for sauces, gravies, casseroles, and noodle, rice, or potato dishes; macaroni
and cheese; stuffing mix.
• Cheese (processed and cheese spreads).
• Canned soups.
• Foods eaten away from home.

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY OF CVD
• Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., walnuts, soybean oil, fatty fish). Restrict
saturated fats, dietary cholesterol and sodium as necessary according to the individual
profile. A very low fat diet can be quite effective
• Increase consumption of dietary fiber and whole grains (17-30g/day).
• Consumption of plant proteins. Use fewer animal proteins and more legumes or
vegetable protein sources. Fish may be used 3 or 4 times weekly, especially sources rich in
omega 3 fatty acids. Remove chicken skin before cooking or just before serving.
• Stop/limit intake of alcohol
• DASH Diet
• Weight reduction. Use a calorie-controlled diet if weight loss is needed.
• Increase fruits and vegetables (5 – 10 servings daily) for their flavonoid, phytochemical,
potassium content and properties.
• Small, frequent feedings rather than three large meals are indicated
• Limit stimulants such as caffeine