Disorders of Circulatory System — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

Hypertension: — BP $ge 130/80,\text{mmHg}$. 'Silent killer'.
Normal BP: — $<120/80,\text{mmHg}$.
CAD: — Caused by Atherosclerosis (plaque in coronary arteries).
Angina Pectoris: — Chest pain from myocardial ischemia; relieved by rest.
Myocardial Infarction (MI): — Heart attack; complete blockage, heart muscle death.
Heart Failure: — Heart can't pump enough blood; symptoms: dyspnea, edema.
Cardiac Arrest: — Electrical problem, heart stops suddenly.
Risk Factors: — High BP, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity (modifiable); age, family history (non-modifiable).

2-Minute Revision

Circulatory disorders affect the heart and blood vessels. Hypertension (high blood pressure, $ge 130/80,\text{mmHg}$) is often asymptomatic but damages organs over time. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in coronary arteries, leading to their narrowing.

This can manifest as Angina Pectoris, which is temporary chest pain due to reduced blood flow, usually with exertion. A more severe event is Myocardial Infarction (MI), or a heart attack, where a complete blockage leads to heart muscle death.

Heart Failure is a chronic condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood, causing symptoms like shortness of breath (dyspnea) and swelling (edema). It's crucial to distinguish MI (blockage, tissue death), Heart Failure (pumping inefficiency), and Cardiac Arrest (sudden electrical malfunction causing heart stoppage).

Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and physical inactivity.

5-Minute Revision

Disorders of the circulatory system are critical for NEET. Start with Hypertension, defined as persistently high blood pressure (systolic $ge 130,\text{mmHg}$ or diastolic $ge 80,\text{mmHg}$). It's often asymptomatic, hence 'silent killer,' but leads to organ damage.

Next, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the most common heart disease, is caused by atherosclerosis, the progressive buildup of fatty plaques in coronary arteries. This narrows the arteries, reducing blood supply to the heart muscle.

When blood flow is insufficient, it causes Angina Pectoris, a chest pain typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, usually by a clot on a ruptured plaque, it leads to Myocardial Infarction (MI) or a heart attack, where part of the heart muscle dies.

Symptoms are severe, prolonged chest pain, sweating, and shortness of breath. Finally, Heart Failure is a chronic condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's demands. This results in fluid backup, causing dyspnea (shortness of breath, especially orthopnea) and edema (swelling in ankles, legs).

Remember the key distinctions: MI is a 'plumbing problem' (blockage), Heart Failure is a 'pumping problem' (inefficiency), and Cardiac Arrest is an 'electrical problem' (heart stops suddenly). Common risk factors for most of these include high BP, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.

Focus on understanding the pathophysiology and symptom differentiation.

Prelims Revision Notes

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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):

* Normal BP: $<120/80,\text{mmHg}$. * Elevated BP: $120-129/\text{and }<80,\text{mmHg}$. * Stage 1 Hypertension: $130-139/\text{or }80-89,\text{mmHg}$. * Stage 2 Hypertension: $ge 140/\text{or }ge 90,\text{mmHg}$. * Often asymptomatic ('silent killer'). * Risk factors: obesity, high salt, stress, smoking, genetics.

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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

* Cause: Atherosclerosis (fatty plaque buildup in coronary arteries). * Plaque: cholesterol, fats, calcium, fibrin. * Narrows arteries, reduces blood flow to myocardium.

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Angina Pectoris:

* Symptom of CAD: chest pain/discomfort. * Cause: Myocardial ischemia (insufficient $ext{O}_2$ to heart muscle). * Triggered by exertion/stress, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

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Myocardial Infarction (MI) / Heart Attack:

* Cause: Complete blockage of coronary artery (usually clot on ruptured plaque). * Result: Death of heart muscle tissue (infarction). * Symptoms: Severe, crushing chest pain (radiating to left arm/jaw), sweating, nausea, shortness of breath. Not relieved by rest.

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Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure - CHF):

* Heart unable to pump enough blood to meet body's needs. * Causes: CAD, hypertension, previous MI, valvular disease. * Symptoms: Dyspnea (shortness of breath, esp. orthopnea), edema (swelling in ankles/legs/abdomen), fatigue, persistent cough. * Left-sided failure: pulmonary congestion. Right-sided failure: systemic congestion.

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Cardiac Arrest:

* Sudden cessation of effective heart function (electrical problem). * Loss of consciousness, no pulse, no breathing. Medical emergency.

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Stroke: — Interruption of blood supply to brain (ischemic or hemorrhagic).
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Risk Factors (General):

* Modifiable: Smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet. * Non-modifiable: Age, gender (male), family history.

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Key Distinction:

* Heart Attack: Blockage, tissue death. * Heart Failure: Pumping inefficiency, fluid backup. * Cardiac Arrest: Electrical malfunction, heart stops.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

For common risk factors of circulatory disorders, remember 'SHED-DOOR': Smoking Hypertension Excess weight (Obesity) Diabetes Diet (unhealthy) Old age (non-modifiable) Out of shape (Physical Inactivity) Relatives (Family History - non-modifiable)