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Lucy Atkins
06/12/2025
Health & Social Care
cardiovascular system malfunctions
176
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6 Dec 2025
•
Understanding the Cardiovascular System: Issues and Health Impacts
Lucy Atkins
@lucyatkkins
Cardiovascular System Problems: When Hearts Go Wrong
Ever wondered why adults are always banging on about blood pressure? Well, hypertension (high blood pressure) is basically your heart working overtime, and it's more common than you might think.
Your heart creates two types of pressure: systolic pressure when it contracts and pumps blood out, and diastolic pressure when it relaxes between beats. Think of it like a garden hose - systolic is when you squeeze the trigger hard, diastolic is when you ease off. Doctors measure this using a sphygmomanometer (that inflatable cuff thing) and write it as two numbers, like 120/80 mmHg.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is an umbrella term for problems with the arteries feeding your heart muscle. It includes angina (when heart cells don't get enough oxygen, causing chest pain) and heart attacks (when blood supply gets completely blocked). In worst-case scenarios, you might get ventricular fibrillation (chaotic electrical activity) or cardiac arrest.
The scary thing about hypertension? It's practically symptomless until something serious happens. However, angina and heart attacks give clearer warning signs: chest pain that spreads to your arms, neck, or jaw, breathlessness, sweating, and feeling weak or dizzy. The key problem behind many heart issues is atherosclerosis - fatty deposits called plaque building up in artery walls, narrowing the space for blood flow.
Key Insight: Ideal blood pressure sits between 90/50mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Anything over 140/90mmHg counts as high blood pressure and needs attention.
Fighting Back: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The good news? Medical science has brilliant ways to diagnose and treat heart problems, plus you've got more control over prevention than you might think.
Doctors use blood tests to check cholesterol, fats, and sugar levels, whilst an electrocardiogram measures your heart's electrical activity to spot damage or disease. For treatment, there's an arsenal of medications: nitrates help coronary arteries relax, statins tackle cholesterol, and antiplatelet medicines like aspirin make blood less likely to clot.
When medication isn't enough, surgical options step in. Angioplasty involves threading a tiny balloon into narrowed arteries and inflating it to push them open - sometimes with a stent (mesh tube) left behind for support. For severe cases, coronary artery bypass grafts literally create new routes around blocked arteries.
Here's the empowering bit: many risk factors are completely within your control. Age, family history, and gender aren't changeable, but smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, high salt intake, and excessive alcohol consumption absolutely are. The lifestyle changes that prevent heart disease aren't rocket science - balanced diet, regular exercise, ditching cigarettes, moderating alcohol, managing stress, and getting proper sleep.
Remember: CHD can't be cured, but it can be managed brilliantly with the right combination of medication, procedures, and lifestyle choices. Your heart health is largely in your hands.
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What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
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Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding the Cardiovascular System: Issues and Health Impacts
Lucy Atkins
@lucyatkkins
Your heart and blood vessels work non-stop to keep you alive, but sometimes things go wrong with this vital system. Understanding cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure and heart disease isn't just important for your A-levels - it could literally... Show more
Cardiovascular System Problems: When Hearts Go Wrong
Ever wondered why adults are always banging on about blood pressure? Well, hypertension (high blood pressure) is basically your heart working overtime, and it's more common than you might think.
Your heart creates two types of pressure: systolic pressure when it contracts and pumps blood out, and diastolic pressure when it relaxes between beats. Think of it like a garden hose - systolic is when you squeeze the trigger hard, diastolic is when you ease off. Doctors measure this using a sphygmomanometer (that inflatable cuff thing) and write it as two numbers, like 120/80 mmHg.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is an umbrella term for problems with the arteries feeding your heart muscle. It includes angina (when heart cells don't get enough oxygen, causing chest pain) and heart attacks (when blood supply gets completely blocked). In worst-case scenarios, you might get ventricular fibrillation (chaotic electrical activity) or cardiac arrest.
The scary thing about hypertension? It's practically symptomless until something serious happens. However, angina and heart attacks give clearer warning signs: chest pain that spreads to your arms, neck, or jaw, breathlessness, sweating, and feeling weak or dizzy. The key problem behind many heart issues is atherosclerosis - fatty deposits called plaque building up in artery walls, narrowing the space for blood flow.
Key Insight: Ideal blood pressure sits between 90/50mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Anything over 140/90mmHg counts as high blood pressure and needs attention.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Fighting Back: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The good news? Medical science has brilliant ways to diagnose and treat heart problems, plus you've got more control over prevention than you might think.
Doctors use blood tests to check cholesterol, fats, and sugar levels, whilst an electrocardiogram measures your heart's electrical activity to spot damage or disease. For treatment, there's an arsenal of medications: nitrates help coronary arteries relax, statins tackle cholesterol, and antiplatelet medicines like aspirin make blood less likely to clot.
When medication isn't enough, surgical options step in. Angioplasty involves threading a tiny balloon into narrowed arteries and inflating it to push them open - sometimes with a stent (mesh tube) left behind for support. For severe cases, coronary artery bypass grafts literally create new routes around blocked arteries.
Here's the empowering bit: many risk factors are completely within your control. Age, family history, and gender aren't changeable, but smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, high salt intake, and excessive alcohol consumption absolutely are. The lifestyle changes that prevent heart disease aren't rocket science - balanced diet, regular exercise, ditching cigarettes, moderating alcohol, managing stress, and getting proper sleep.
Remember: CHD can't be cured, but it can be managed brilliantly with the right combination of medication, procedures, and lifestyle choices. Your heart health is largely in your hands.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content in Health & Social Care
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user