Common Ailments of the Circulatory System

1. Kimberly Jade Collantes
IX - STE (1)

2. Usually occurs in children. This may start from an inflammation
of the throat caused by a germ called streptococcus. The
inflammation is called strepthroat. If not cured, strepthroat may
develop into rheumatic fever. This fever lasts for weeks.
Symptoms:
 Swelling of the knees, ankles, wrists and elbows.
 Abdominal pains, chest pains, nosebleeds and difficulty in
breathing
 Fever
If the fever continues, rheumatic heart disease results. This
means that valves in the heart are already affected. A child with
rheumatic heart disease has difficulty in breathing and easily
gets tired.

3. 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.
If an expectant mother gets sick of German measles during
the first three months of pregnancy, the baby may develop
some abnormalities. One example is congenital heart
disease.
A child with a congenital heart disease easily catches
respiratory diseases and has a slow rate of growth.

4. Also 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.
Symptoms
 Headaches
 Dizziness
 Ringing in the ears
 Palpitation
If not controlled, this disease may lead to the enlargement of the heart, a stroke
or a heart attack.
Among the causes of hypertension are too much fat and salt in the diet,
obesity, and lack of exercise, smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages.
Stress and tension also contribute to the development of this disease.

5. 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. Blood cannot flow freely when there is
much cholesterol in the arteries.
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.
When this happens, a heart attack occurs.

6. 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.
Symptoms:
Fainting
Lack of energy
Paleness

7. 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.

8. 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.
When a heart attack occurs, call for a doctor or an
ambulance. Place the patient in a half-reclining position
with his head and shoulders elevated slightly until a doctor
sees him. The victim should remain at rest. Loose his
clothing and let him breathe fresh air. Bring the patient
immediately to an intensive care unit or heart station in a
hospital.

10.  Have a balanced diet each meal a balanced diet gives you
the correct food in proper amount.
 Watch your weight to prevent obesity. Obesity overworks
the heart.
 Exercise regularly. You need active exercise to make your
bone and muscles firm and strong.
 Have time to rest to keep your heart from breaking down
from fatigue.
 Always think positively. Avoid worrying too much.
 Do not smoke or drink liquor.
 Stay away from prohibited drugs or you might get hooked.
 Get fresh air-every day. The fresh air that you breathe gives
quick help to the muscles of your heart.
 Stand and sit with good posture so that your lungs and
heart have room to work properly.
 Visit the doctor once a year for a health examination.

11.  Reduce or Avoid Fatty System
Your body produces the right amount of cholesterol to
maintain your health. Cholesterol is a fatty or oily
substance that normally forms part of your cell wall.
However if the cholesterol level of your body gets high it
stays in the walls of the arteries. It contributes to the
condition called arteriosclerosis or hardening of the
arteries causing heart attacks and strokes. Fatty diets
especially animal fats increase the cholesterol level. It is
better to replace the fats with cholesterol level. It is better
to replace the fats with carbohydrates such as bread,
potatoes and rice. Eat less meat and more fish and poultry.
Bad fats are found in beef, pork, lamb, processed meats
such as hotdogs and coconut oil, whole milk, butter, lard
and cream. Fruits, vegetables and juices are good for the
body.