Question

name: keyla navarro
non-communicable disease project
presentation #1: disease name: heart attack
what is the disease? (definition)
cause: when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked
what are the symptoms? cold sweat, fatigue, heartburn
how can you treat this disease?

presentation #2: disease name: stroke
what is the disease? (definition)
cause:
what are the symptoms?
how can you treat this disease?

Answer:

To complete the Non - Communicable Disease Project, we need to fill in the missing information for each disease. Here's how we can do it for each section:

Presentation #1: Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

What is the disease? (Definition)

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is severely reduced or blocked. This blockage is usually due to a blood clot forming in a coronary artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart. When the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen, the affected tissue can start to die.

How can you treat this disease?

• Immediate Treatment:
• Aspirin: Chewing an aspirin (if not allergic) can help prevent further blood clotting. Aspirin works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which is involved in the production of thromboxane A2, a substance that promotes platelet aggregation.
• Nitroglycerin: This can be given to help widen the coronary arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessel walls, increasing the diameter of the arteries.
• Reperfusion Therapy:
• Thrombolytic (Clot - Busting) Drugs: These drugs, such as tissue - type plasminogen activator (t - PA), are used to dissolve the blood clot in the coronary artery. They work by activating plasminogen, which is then converted to plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down the fibrin in the blood clot. This therapy is most effective when administered within the first few hours of the onset of symptoms.
• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Also known as angioplasty with or without stenting. In this procedure, a catheter with a balloon at the tip is inserted into the blocked coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated to widen the artery, and a stent (a small mesh tube) may be placed to keep the artery open.
• Long - Term Treatment:
• Medications:
• Beta - Blockers: Drugs like metoprolol or atenolol are used to slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the workload on the heart. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart's beta - adrenergic receptors.
• Statins: These drugs, such as atorvastatin or simvastatin, are used to lower cholesterol levels, especially low - density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. By reducing cholesterol, they help to stabilize the plaques in the coronary arteries and reduce the risk of future heart attacks.
• ACE Inhibitors or ARBs: Angiotensin - converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs, e.g., losartan) are used to lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. They also have beneficial effects on the heart's structure and function over time.
• Lifestyle Changes:
• Diet: A heart - healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium. It should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (such as fish, skinless poultry, and legumes), and healthy fats (like olive oil and avocados).
• Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as at least 150 minutes of moderate - intensity aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) per week, along with strength training exercises at least twice a week. Exercise helps to improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels.
• Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking is crucial as smoking damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries).
• Stress Management: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help reduce stress, which can have a positive impact on heart health.

Presentation #2: Stroke

What is the disease? (Definition)

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. This can happen in two main ways:

• Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type, accounting for about 85% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a blood vessel in the brain or when a clot from another part of the body (embolus) travels to the brain and blocks a blood vessel. When the brain cells don't get enough oxygen and nutrients due to the blocked blood flow, they can start to die within minutes.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures (bursts), causing bleeding into the brain tissue or the space surrounding the brain. The pressure from the bleeding can damage brain cells.

Cause:

• Ischemic Stroke Causes:
• Atherosclerosis: The build - up of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances (plaque) in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Over time, the plaque can narrow the arteries and make them more prone to clot formation.
• Cardiac Sources of Emboli: Conditions such as atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) can cause blood to pool in the atria of the heart, leading to the formation of blood clots. These clots can then be dislodged and travel to the brain, causing an embolic stroke. Other heart conditions like heart valve disease or myocardial infarction can also increase the risk of embolic stroke.
• Small Vessel Disease: Damage to the small blood vessels in the brain, often due to conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or aging. This can lead to the narrowing or blockage of these small vessels.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke Causes:
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Uncontrolled high blood pressure can weaken the walls of the blood vessels in the brain, making them more likely to rupture.
• Aneurysms: An aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of a blood vessel that can bulge out. If an aneurysm in a brain blood vessel ruptures, it can cause a hemorrhagic stroke.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): These are abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain. The blood vessels in an AVM are weak and can rupture, leading to bleeding in the brain.

What are the symptoms?

• Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke (Common Symptoms):
• Sudden Numbness or Weakness: Usually on one side of the body, such as in the face, arm, or leg. For example, a person may suddenly find that they can't lift one arm or that one side of their face droops.
• Confusion or Trouble Speaking: The person may have difficulty understanding what others are saying or may have trouble forming words themselves. They may also be confused about their surroundings or have problems with memory.
• Trouble Seeing: This can be in one or both eyes. A person may experience blurred vision, double vision, or a sudden loss of vision in part or all of their visual field.
• Trouble Walking: There may be a sudden loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, or difficulty walking.
• Severe Headache: A sudden, severe headache with no known cause, often described as the "worst headache of my life," can be a sign of a hemorrhagic stroke.

How can you treat this disease?

• Ischemic Stroke Treatment:
• Thrombolytic Therapy: Similar to the treatment for heart attack, tissue - type plasminogen activator (t - PA) can be used to dissolve the blood clot in the brain. However, it must be administered within a very narrow time window (usually within 4.5 hours of symptom onset) to be effective and to reduce the risk of complications.
• Mechanical Thrombectomy: For some ischemic strokes caused by large - vessel occlusions, a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy can be performed. In this procedure, a catheter with a device at the tip (such as a stent - retriever) is used to remove the blood clot from the blocked artery in the brain. This is most effective when done within 6 to 24 hours of symptom onset, depending on the patient's condition.
• Anti - Platelet and Anticoagulant Medications: After the acute phase, medications like aspirin (an anti - platelet drug) or anticoagulants (such as warfarin or newer direct oral anticoagulants for patients with atrial fibrillation) may be prescribed to prevent future blood clots.
• Rehabilitation:
• Physical Therapy: To help the patient regain strength and mobility, especially if they have weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. Physical therapists will design exercise programs to improve balance, coordination, and the ability to perform daily activities.
• Occupational Therapy: This focuses on helping the patient relearn skills needed for daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and eating. Occupational therapists also help patients adapt to any physical limitations they may have.
• Speech Therapy: For patients who have trouble speaking or understanding language, speech therapists work with them to improve communication skills.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment:
• Blood Pressure Control: Since high blood pressure is a common cause of hemorrhagic stroke, it is crucial to control the patient's blood pressure to prevent further bleeding. Medications such as intravenous antihypertensives may be used initially, and then oral medications will be prescribed for long - term blood pressure management.
• Surgery:
• Aneurysm Repair: If the hemorrhagic stroke was caused by a ruptured aneurysm, surgery may be needed to repair the aneurysm. This can be done through a craniotomy (opening the skull) to place a clip on the aneurysm or by using endovascular techniques to fill the aneurysm with a material that will prevent it from rupturing again.
• AVM Removal or Embolization: For arteriovenous malformations, surgery to remove the AVM or endovascular embolization (using a catheter to deliver a substance to block the abnormal blood vessels) may be performed.
• Rehabilitation: Similar to ischemic stroke, rehabilitation with physical, occupational, and speech therapy is an important part of the recovery process for hemorrhagic stroke patients.