Circulatory system disorders

Arteriosclerosis - describes various disorders in which walls of

the arteries thicken and become harder - common type is artheriosclerosis in which

plaque (fatty deposits, calcium, etc.) builds up - can cause blood clots, heart attack, stroke

(when plaque ruptures)

Artheriosclerosis – what to do?

- - Prevent the formation of clots (e.g. aspirin)

- - angioplasty- tube in clogged artery- - coronary bypass – healthy artery

replaced clogged one (or several)

Aneurysm

- a weakened area in an arterial wall - environmental and genetic causes - a burst aneurysm leads to internal bleeding,

often death

Treated by removal and grafting a ‘patch’ of synthetic material

Arrythmia

- problem with the speed or rhythn of the heartbeat

-can lead to insufficient blood supply to brain or other organs

Treated with medication or implanting an artificial pacemaker that transmits an electrical impulse when heartbeat is abnormal

Disorders of the blood

Hemophilia – insufficient or missing clotting proteins (Factor VIII) in the blood

- - inherited, life-threatening- - can be treated with injections of Factor

VIII

Anemia – blood contains fewer than normal healthy red blood cells

- - Caused by blood loss or red blood cells that don’t contain enough hemoglobin

- - usually mild (fatigue, headaches, cold hands and feet, etc.)

- - if chronic – could be deadly

Leukemia – cancer of WBC or leukocytes- Two types (myeloid (too many leukocytes)

and lymphatic (cancer of lymphocytes)

- -can be sudden and quick death- -treated by blood transfusions, bone

marrow transplant and chemotherapy

Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic system

A complex network of organs that work to rid the body of infection

Lymph, a transparent fluid that contains white blood cells (leukocytes), circulates through us

It filters out and engulfs foreign bodies (ex. bacteria, viruses)

Macrophages: white blood cells that seek and destroy foreign cells

Components of the lymphatic system

Bone marrow – all type of blood cells are manufactured here

Spleen – just below the diaphragm; a reservoir for blood and filters lymph

Thymus gland – in front of the trachea; where lymphocytes mature