Background
It is essential to note that the given assessment aims to investigate the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on various bodily systems and the specific complications of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on the body. The research questions for this study are: “Which body systems are affected by CVD?” and “How does peripheral arterial disease contribute to gangrene, heart, skin, circulation, ischemia, and amputation?” The analysis of this study will focus on the scientific and analytical perspectives of these conditions.
The examination of key subjects will focus on the underlying mechanisms and causes of CVD and PAD, as well as their impact on various body systems. By understanding these mechanisms and causes, one can gain insight into the effects of these conditions on overall health and quality of life. To address the range of factors behind CVD and PAD, a holistic, comprehensive treatment approach is necessary.
Cardiovascular Disease
Scientific Perspective
Cardiovascular diseases, also known as heart and blood vessel diseases, primarily affect the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The cardiovascular system is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, delivering nutrients and oxygen to tissues and cells, and removing waste products (Csige et al., 2018). When the cardiovascular system is affected by the disease, it can lead to a variety of complications throughout the body. The most common types of cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque, which prevents these vessels from supplying blood to the heart muscle. It can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and a heart attack. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, resulting in fluid accumulation in the lungs and other organs. A stroke can lead to brain tissue damage, occurring when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.
These diseases can affect other body systems, including the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems. The circulatory system is responsible for carrying blood throughout the body. When it is affected by cardiovascular disease, it can lead to poor circulation and organ damage (Grüneboom et al., 2019). The respiratory system plays a crucial role in delivering oxygen to the body, and in the case of the presence of cardiovascular disease, it can result in shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The nervous system is responsible for controlling the body’s functions, and cardiovascular disease can lead to weakness, numbness, and difficulty with coordination.
In addition to these primary impacts, CVD can lead to secondary conditions like anemia, kidney failure, and peripheral artery disease. Anemia occurs when there is not enough oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in the blood, which can lead to fatigue and weakness. Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are unable to filter waste products from the blood, resulting in a buildup of toxins in the body. Peripheral artery disease occurs when the blood vessels in the legs become narrowed or blocked, leading to pain and difficulty walking.
Analytical Perspective
CVD is a leading cause of death in the United States. It accounted for about 840,768 deaths in the U.S. in 2019, or about 1 in every three deaths. Coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and hypertension are the most common types of CVD. The estimates suggest that about 92.1 million American adults have some form of CVD or the after-effects of stroke.
Additionally, it is estimated that about 2,300 Americans die of CVD each day, an average of one death every 38 seconds (Bigeh et al., 2020). The disease is more common in specific demographics, particularly older adults, African Americans, and individuals with diabetes (Bigeh et al., 2020). Key risk factors for CVD include lifestyle choices and health conditions such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor diet.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Scientific Perspective
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels that supply blood to the legs, feet, and other parts of the body become blocked or narrowed. The most common causal factors are plaque buildup in the blood vessels, a process known as atherosclerosis (Conte & Vale, 2018). PAD can occur as a result of other conditions, such as hypertension or high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
In addition, it can lead to several serious health problems, including gangrene, which is the death and decay of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow (Conte & Vale, 2018). Gangrene can occur in the toes, feet, or other parts of the body affected by PAD. It can contribute to heart attacks and strokes by increasing the risk of blood clots forming in the narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
In addition to these serious health problems, PAD can cause skin problems, such as skin ulcers, and can lead to poor circulation, which can cause weakness in the legs and feet, as well as numbness and pain. It can also cause ischemia, a condition characterized by a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the body’s tissues, leading to tissue damage (Conte & Vale, 2018). The most serious complication of PAD is amputation, which may be necessary if gangrene or other serious complications develop.
Amputation can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and can lead to additional health problems. To prevent or manage the disease, it is important to control risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (Conte & Vale, 2018). Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, adopting a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise, can help prevent or manage the disease. In some cases, medication or other treatments may be necessary to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels.
Analytical Perspective
PAD is a common condition in the U.S. It is currently affecting an estimated 8-12 million Americans (Conte & Vale, 2018). The disease is more prevalent in older adults, with the highest rates occurring in those aged 70 and older. It is more common in men than in women. The estimates suggest that about 20% of people aged 70 or older have PAD (Conte & Vale, 2018). The prevalence of the disease increases with age and is higher among specific populations, including African Americans, people with diabetes, and people with a history of smoking.
PAD can lead to serious health problems, including amputation, heart attacks, and strokes. The risk of death is higher among people with PAD than among those without the condition. It is stated that about 200,000 amputations are performed in the U.S. each year due to PAD and that it is responsible for about half of all amputations in the country (Conte & Vale, 2018). The disease is a significant public health problem, so steps should be taken to reduce the risk of developing PAD.
A healthcare solution for PAD is a holistic treatment approach, which typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and medical procedures. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise, can help to reduce the risk of developing PAD and can enable physical activity, which is important as well, with the aim of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, at least five days a week. To manage the condition (Conte & Vale, 2018). Healthy eating can include eating a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and salt and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
References
Bigeh, A., Shekar, C., & Gulati, M. (2020). Sex differences in coronary artery calcium and long-term CV mortality. Current Cardiology Reports, 22(21), 1-9. Web.
Conte, S. M., & Vale, P. R. (2018). Peripheral arterial disease. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 27(4), 427-432. Web.
Csige, I., Ujvárosy, D., Szabó, Z., Lőrincz, I., Paragh, G., Harangi, M., & Somodi, S. (2018). The impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2018(3407306), 1-12. Web.
Grüneboom, A., Hawwari, I., Weidner, D., Culemann, S., Müller, S., Henneberg, S., Brenzel, A., Merz, S., Bornemann, L., Zec, K., Wuelling, M., Kling, L., Hasenberg, M., Voortmann, S., Lang, S., Baum, W., Ohs, A., Kraff, O., Quick, H. H., Jäger, M., Landgraeber, S., Dudda, M., Danuser, R., Stein, J. V., Rohde, M., Gelse, K., Garbe, A. I., Adamczyk, A., Westendorf, A. M., Hoffmann, D., Christiansen, S., Engel, D. R., Vortkamp, A., Krönke, G., Herrmann, M., Kamradt, T., Schett, G., Hasenberg, A., & Gunzer, M. (2019). A network of trans-cortical capillaries as mainstay for blood circulation in long bones. Nature Metabolism, 1, 236–250. Web.