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1.
Atherosclerosis
(Hardening of the arteries) This is a disease in which the arterial walls begin to cause a blockage to the blood flow. The blockage can be caused by a build up of fats, cholesterol and calcium on the wall itself. The arteries became very narrow and will eventually lead to heart attack and stoke.
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Risk Factors
These factors that can account for artherosclerosis include a high fat diet, diabetes, obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. A good lesson with your students would be to discuss how these risk factors can cause artherosclerosis and what we can do to prevent these problems from happening.
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2. Strokes A stroke is a disruption of blood supply to the brain. They are one of the major causes of death in the United States. There are different types of strokes;
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a. Blood clot in the artery to the head.
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b. Deposits which block arteries in the neck.
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c. Cerebral hemorrhage in which an artery is ruptured causing internal bleeding.
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d. Brain tumor pressuring an artery.
The end result of a stroke is usually the same, lack of oxygen and blood supply to the affected part of the brain. Some of the warning signs of stroke include a sudden weakness or numbness of limbs, face. There can be a sudden loss of vision or a case of double vision. Headaches, dizziness and temporary loss of speech can also be signs of stroke. Consulting a physician immediately can diagnose warnings of a possible stroke. Risk factors for stroke are the same as atherosclerosis.
3. Myocardial Infarction
(Heart Attack) This disease can be caused by blocked coronary artery which is not supplying the heart with an adequate supply of oxygen. Atherosclerosis can cause this type of blockage to those coronary arteries.
Heart attacks can be fatal. They are the leading cause of death in the United States. Tissue of the heart muscle is destroyed and the heart stops pumping.
4. Hypertension
Hypertension is one of the most common diseases today. It is the result of high blood pressure damaging the arteries. It is a serious disease but can be treated. It occurs in all races and ages. Doctors can maintain and regulate blood pressure by adjusting the plasma level.
Extensive damage can be caused by prolonged high blood pressure.
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Risk Factors
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1. High Salt Diet
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2. Genetics
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3. Obesity
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4. Diabetes
5. Smoking
At this point each disease can be discussed with your students. Each disease can be compared and risk factors can be discussed.
Lesson I (Diet)
In comparing risk factors of each disease mentioned, diet seem to be the one risk factor that can be controlled by us. A good lesson for the students might be to keep a record for three days of each breakfast, lunch and dinner they have. They can write down the kinds of foods and quantity intake. The students can then evaluate their diets by using cholesterol charts or calorie charts. They can now judge for themselves the kind of diet they need and can just read their intake. You can even have students write out a well-balanced diet.
Lesson II (Blood Pressure Count)
Most students at this level, seventh grade, have had their blood pressure taken by their family doctors. Ask your school nurse to come into your class and plan a lesson on blood pressure. The nurse can go over systolic and diastolic pressure. She can discuss the various facts that lead to high blood pressure. The equipment can be shown and finally, a couple of volunteers can have their blood pressure taken and the end result can be discussed.
Lesson III (Pulse Rate and Exercise)
The rate of your heartbeat changes according to your emotions, activities, and what happens around you. In this lesson you can investigate the effect of exercise on your heart rate. A more detailed plan will be made and used as a sample lesson plan towards the end of the unit.
VI.
Hazards of Smoking in Relation to the Circulatory System Concept
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Smoking can cause lung disease and some cancers. It can lead to stroke, atherosclerosis, heart attack and can aggravate blood pressure. Smoking hay many cons so why then do people smoke?
Introduction
: The desire among young people today to begin smoking cigarettes is seen throughout the United States. Most youngsters try to show their maturity by turning to cigarettes. Peer pressure also encourages smoking. But scientists have been gathering enough scientific evidence to show that cigarette smoking is a serious health hazard. Agencies have begun to make young people aware of the hazards of smoking before it’s too late.