Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
coronary heart disease and asthma
Introduction
For this report I will be talking about 2 physiological disorders. One of the disorders I'll be
discussing is coronary heart disease which affects the circulatory system. The second
disorder I'll be discussing is asthma, which affects the respiratory system. I will be
investigating the cause and effect of both physiological disorders. I will also be examining
the investigation and treatment plan for the service user.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a condition which affects the circulatory system. It often occurs
when the arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of fatty deposits which
restricts blood flow to the body and lungs.
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2023) [accessed 04/11/24]
Causes and affect (PASS)
CHD can be caused by a number of factors such as lifestyle, diet, inheritance and
environment.
Lifestyle
One lifestyle factor that increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is smoking.
When someone smokes, harmful chemicals like nicotine and carbon monoxide are
inhaled, which can damage the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. This damage can
cause inflammation and lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits
build up in the arteries. This reduces blood flow and puts extra pressure on the heart,
making it harder to pump blood around the body. Smoking also raises blood pressure and
1
,makes the blood more likely to clot, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes if the blood
supply to the heart or brain is blocked (NHS, 2023).
Another lifestyle factor is physical inactivity. Not being physically active can cause fat to
build up in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and reduced blood flow to the heart.
Inactive people are also more likely to be overweight or obese, have high blood pressure,
and have high levels of LDL cholesterol which increases the risk of developing CHD. Lack
of exercise can also lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, both of which are linked
to heart disease. Sitting for long periods can reduce circulation and increase the risk of
blood clots (thrombosis), which could be dangerous as it could block blood flow to vital
organs.
Diet
Diet is another factor which can cause coronary heart disease, as a diet high in saturated
fats can lead to an increased number of low-density lipoproteins (also known as bad
cholesterol) in the bloodstream. This causes cholesterol to build up in the arteries, making
them narrower leading to high blood pressure. As the arteries become narrower, it
becomes harder for the blood to flow through causing the heart to work harder which also
raises the blood pressure. (British Heart Foundation, 2023).
Inheritance
Inheritance could be another factor for coronary heart disease as patients with a family
history of heart disease are more likely to inherit genes which cause high blood pressure
and cholesterol. Its important that individuals know about their family history of heart
related issues so that action can be taken early. NHS (2023)
Environment
Environmental factors such as air pollutants can also be a cause for coronary heart
disease as chemicals from smoke can travel into the blood stream which can damage
blood vessels causing them to become narrower. You can also pick up certain eating
habits from the environment you're in, for example if you live with people who eat a lot of
fatty foods, you will also pick up the habit which can make you prone to developing heart
disease. British Heart Foundation (2023)
2
, Socio economic
Individuals from a low socio-economic background are also more likely to develop heart
disease as they can live in areas exposed to lots of air pollution which can damage the
blood vessels. They might also eat food high in saturated fats as it's cheaper which can
lead to a buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
Overall, each of these factors play a role in damaging blood vessels and reducing blood
circulation which is a main sign of coronary heart disease. (Heart Foundation, 2024)
accessed 05/11/24
Signs and symptoms
Signs refer to problems that an individual may be experiencing which can be recognized by
other individuals such as a doctor or family member, for example a loss of weight. On the
other hand, symptoms are what an individual may be feeling but it has to be informed to a
doctor as it cannot be noticed by others, an example would be a headache.
A sign of coronary heart disease can be high blood pressure, as the heart is working extra
hard to pump blood around the body, due to the arteries being blocked. This can lead to
blood clots, also known as thrombosis. as blood starts to accumulate at the blocked
arteries. Another example of a sign in CHD is coughing/wheezing due to a buildup of fluid in
the lungs. This happens because the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, due to the
blocked blood vessels, so the blood starts to flow back through the veins into the lungs.
People suffering with CHD may also experience heart palpitations which can be measured
by a doctor with a stethoscope so it would be another sign.
An example of a symptom for coronary heart disease would be feeling faint because not
enough blood is being pumped through the body and the brain. Another symptom would be
chest pain or angina because when the arteries become partially blocked, the heart has to
pump harder to get the blood around the body. If the arteries become fully blocked, it can
lead to a heart attack which is a sign of CHD. Heart attacks can permanently damage the
heart muscle and must be treated straight away, or it can become fatal. During the heart
attack you may also experience symptoms like nausea, light-headedness and pain in the
chest and other parts of the body. However, a heart attack can also happen without any
symptoms at all which is known as a silent myocardial infarction and is more common in
older people.
(NHS, 2020) accessed 05/11/24
Changes in the body system (merit)
3
coronary heart disease and asthma
Introduction
For this report I will be talking about 2 physiological disorders. One of the disorders I'll be
discussing is coronary heart disease which affects the circulatory system. The second
disorder I'll be discussing is asthma, which affects the respiratory system. I will be
investigating the cause and effect of both physiological disorders. I will also be examining
the investigation and treatment plan for the service user.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a condition which affects the circulatory system. It often occurs
when the arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of fatty deposits which
restricts blood flow to the body and lungs.
(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2023) [accessed 04/11/24]
Causes and affect (PASS)
CHD can be caused by a number of factors such as lifestyle, diet, inheritance and
environment.
Lifestyle
One lifestyle factor that increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is smoking.
When someone smokes, harmful chemicals like nicotine and carbon monoxide are
inhaled, which can damage the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. This damage can
cause inflammation and lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits
build up in the arteries. This reduces blood flow and puts extra pressure on the heart,
making it harder to pump blood around the body. Smoking also raises blood pressure and
1
,makes the blood more likely to clot, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes if the blood
supply to the heart or brain is blocked (NHS, 2023).
Another lifestyle factor is physical inactivity. Not being physically active can cause fat to
build up in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and reduced blood flow to the heart.
Inactive people are also more likely to be overweight or obese, have high blood pressure,
and have high levels of LDL cholesterol which increases the risk of developing CHD. Lack
of exercise can also lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, both of which are linked
to heart disease. Sitting for long periods can reduce circulation and increase the risk of
blood clots (thrombosis), which could be dangerous as it could block blood flow to vital
organs.
Diet
Diet is another factor which can cause coronary heart disease, as a diet high in saturated
fats can lead to an increased number of low-density lipoproteins (also known as bad
cholesterol) in the bloodstream. This causes cholesterol to build up in the arteries, making
them narrower leading to high blood pressure. As the arteries become narrower, it
becomes harder for the blood to flow through causing the heart to work harder which also
raises the blood pressure. (British Heart Foundation, 2023).
Inheritance
Inheritance could be another factor for coronary heart disease as patients with a family
history of heart disease are more likely to inherit genes which cause high blood pressure
and cholesterol. Its important that individuals know about their family history of heart
related issues so that action can be taken early. NHS (2023)
Environment
Environmental factors such as air pollutants can also be a cause for coronary heart
disease as chemicals from smoke can travel into the blood stream which can damage
blood vessels causing them to become narrower. You can also pick up certain eating
habits from the environment you're in, for example if you live with people who eat a lot of
fatty foods, you will also pick up the habit which can make you prone to developing heart
disease. British Heart Foundation (2023)
2
, Socio economic
Individuals from a low socio-economic background are also more likely to develop heart
disease as they can live in areas exposed to lots of air pollution which can damage the
blood vessels. They might also eat food high in saturated fats as it's cheaper which can
lead to a buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels.
Overall, each of these factors play a role in damaging blood vessels and reducing blood
circulation which is a main sign of coronary heart disease. (Heart Foundation, 2024)
accessed 05/11/24
Signs and symptoms
Signs refer to problems that an individual may be experiencing which can be recognized by
other individuals such as a doctor or family member, for example a loss of weight. On the
other hand, symptoms are what an individual may be feeling but it has to be informed to a
doctor as it cannot be noticed by others, an example would be a headache.
A sign of coronary heart disease can be high blood pressure, as the heart is working extra
hard to pump blood around the body, due to the arteries being blocked. This can lead to
blood clots, also known as thrombosis. as blood starts to accumulate at the blocked
arteries. Another example of a sign in CHD is coughing/wheezing due to a buildup of fluid in
the lungs. This happens because the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, due to the
blocked blood vessels, so the blood starts to flow back through the veins into the lungs.
People suffering with CHD may also experience heart palpitations which can be measured
by a doctor with a stethoscope so it would be another sign.
An example of a symptom for coronary heart disease would be feeling faint because not
enough blood is being pumped through the body and the brain. Another symptom would be
chest pain or angina because when the arteries become partially blocked, the heart has to
pump harder to get the blood around the body. If the arteries become fully blocked, it can
lead to a heart attack which is a sign of CHD. Heart attacks can permanently damage the
heart muscle and must be treated straight away, or it can become fatal. During the heart
attack you may also experience symptoms like nausea, light-headedness and pain in the
chest and other parts of the body. However, a heart attack can also happen without any
symptoms at all which is known as a silent myocardial infarction and is more common in
older people.
(NHS, 2020) accessed 05/11/24
Changes in the body system (merit)
3
