Rheumatic fever is a disease that usually occurs in children after an untreated streptococcus throat infection. Congenital heart disease is when babies are born with defects in their heart. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, occurs when too much force is exerted on arteries and can lead to headaches, dizziness, and heart issues if uncontrolled. Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol builds up in arteries and can block blood flow to the heart.

2. COMMON AILMENTS OF THE
BY: JASMIN E. CINCO
GRADE 9 – 2 (STE)

3. Common Ailments of the
Circulatory System
Some diseases of the circulatory system are
the primary causes of deaths in the
Philippines today. What are these Illnesses?

5. Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic Heart diseases
usually occurs in children. This
may start from an inflammation
of the throat caused by a germ
called streptococcus. The
inflammation is called strep
throat. If not cured, strep throat
may develop into rheumatic fever.
This fever lasts for weeks.

6. Congenital Heart
Disease (CHD)
There are babies born with defective heart.
A newborn baby with a defective heart is called
a blue baby. A blue baby is called such because
when it cries, the surrounds of the mouth and
the fingertips turn bluish. This is a sign that the
baby has a congenital heart disease. Congenital
means that the disease developed before the
baby was born.

8. High Blood Pressure
High Blood pressure called hypertension occurs among
adults. Too much force exerted by the blood on the arteries
causes it. This disease is often called silent killer because it
can cause sudden death even if the person looks healthy.
The symptoms of high blood pressure are frequent
headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and palpitation. If
not controlled, this disease may lead to the enlargement of
the heart, a stroke or a heart attach.

9. Coronary Artery Disease
Is the thickening of the artery caused by the
accumulation of fatty deposits along the inner lining of the
arteries. These fatty deposits are called cholesterol.
An artery may have a blood clot. This blood clot prevents
blood from reaching some of the heart muscles. When the
muscles do not get food and oxygen, they become injured,
if the injury affects a bigger area, the heart may not be able
to pump blood.

11. Anemia
Is a disorder of the blood in
which the red blood cells are
affected. The red blood cells contain
hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to
body cells to provide energy. The
level of the blood cells may be
reduced from the normal level. This
results in a lack of oxygen in the
tissues causing anemia.

12. Hemophilia
Is a disease of the blood, which is
inherited. A person with
hemophilia is called a bleeder
because when he or she bleeds,
the blood does not clot or it clots
very slowly resulting in the loss of
much blood. In this case, the
person needs blood transfusion.

13. Heart Attack
When one of the arteries in the
heart stops suddenly, a heart attack
occurs. This is an emergency
situation, which endangers the life of
the patient. A person who has a heart
attack suffers from intense pain. He
feels that his chest is being squeezed
and he has difficulty in breathing. He
becomes weak and may vomit. He
perspires and looks pale.

15. 1. Have a balanced diet each meal a balanced diet gives you
the correct food in proper amount as.
2. Watch your weight to prevent obesity. Obesity overworks
the heart.
3. Exercise regularly. You need active exercise to make your
bone and muscles firm and strong.
4. Have time to rest to keep your heart from breaking down
from fatigue.
5. Always think positively. Avoid worrying too much.

16. 6. Do not smoke or drink liquor.
7. Stay away from prohibited drugs or you might get
hooked.
8. Get fresh air-every day. The fresh air that you breathe
gives quick help to the muscles of your heart.
9. Stand and sit with good posture so that your lungs
and heart have room to work properly.
10. Visit the doctor once a year for a health
examination.