Lesson Two - Cardio-Pulmonary
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca 🍁 |
| Course: | Chronic Conditions [1 cr] - AB Ed copy 1 |
| Book: | Lesson Two - Cardio-Pulmonary |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 14 September 2025, 4:04 AM |
Information
- This lesson is designed to take approximately 30 minutes.
- You have the following tasks and assignments to complete in this lesson.
- Study all Lesson 2 content, including videos, supplementary reading, etc.
- 2.2 Quiz
- 2.5 Final Assignment Step 1
Lesson Outcomes
Explain:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- stroke
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- asthma
- cystic fibrosis
Introduction
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Conditions
When we looked at the leading causes of death in Canada in 2018, diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems ranked as follows:
- 1–Cancer that has spread
- 2–Diseases of the heart
- 3–Cerebrovascular diseases
- 4–Accidents
- 5–Chronic lower respiratory diseases
- 6–Influenza and pneumonia
As you work through this lesson, identify some possible causes for these rankings.
Only six conditions in these body systems will be discussed. As you think of others, make sure you add them to the wiki.
Hypertension
High Blood Pressure
What is it and how is it measured?
If you have ever been to see a doctor, chances are high that someone wrapped an inflatable cuff around your arm and took your blood pressure. That cuff and machine are called a sphygmomanometer (do not worry, you will not be tested on your ability to spell it), more commonly known as a blood pressure machine. The machine, or the person listening with the stethoscope, is listening for the sound of blood going through the brachial artery (the major artery of the arm). When the pressure of the cuff is high enough, it will block the flow of blood through the brachial artery. By slowly decreasing the pressure on the cuff, one can hear the blood moving through the artery and when the sound stops. The pressure at which blood is heard moving through the artery is the amount of pressure in the arteries when your heart is contracting, the systolic blood pressure. The pressure when the sound cannot be heard anymore is the amount of pressure in your arteries when the heart is at rest, the diastolic blood pressure. These numbers are written as a fraction with the systolic number written on top and the diastolic number written on the bottom. Normal blood pressure for most young adults is below 120/80, but it can vary based on age and gender.
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How Blood Pressure Works
A single high reading is not enough to be diagnosed with hypertension. It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly while relaxed and see your doctor if there is a trend of blood pressure
readings over 120/80.
Primary vs. Secondary Hypertension
Although poor diet, genetics, and other risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of hypertension, most cases of hypertension have no clear cause. These cases are defined as primary hypertension. In a small percentage of cases, hypertension indicates the presence of another medical condition, such as kidney disorders, hormonal imbalances or drug use. In most cases, a search to determine the cause of hypertension is not economical or beneficial for the patient.
Click on each collapsible row to view the causes of primary and secondary hypertension.
A combination of factors play a role in the rise of blood pressure in primary hypertension, including
- Genetics–some people are more susceptible to developing hypertension. This is a heritable trait.
- Physical changes–such as those brought on by aging.
- Lifestyle choices–such as a poor diet and lack of physical activity.
Secondary hypertension happens as a result of having another condition. Some conditions that may cause secondary hypertension are:
- kidney disease
- obstructive sleep apnea
- congenital heart defects
- problems with your thyroid
- side effects of medication
- use of illegal drugs
- alcohol abuse or chronic use
- adrenal gland problems
- certain endocrine tumors
Stages of Rising Blood Pressure
Click each of the coloured tabs to view the stages of rising blood pressure.
Systolic blood pressure between 120 and 129 with diastolic blood pressure below 80 is considered elevated. Elevated blood pressure does not need medication, but should be taken as a warning sign to make some lifestyle changes to try to keep
the patient's blood pressure from going higher. A balanced, healthy diet, regular exercise, and good stress management can help keep elevated blood pressure from becoming hypertension.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms that there is a potential problem.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms that there is a potential problem.
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Someone who has an average systolic blood pressure of 130–139, or average diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89, will be diagnosed with Stage 1 hypertension. The older the patient is, the greater the risk of developing hypertension and
heart disease.
Treatment starts with lifestyle changes. If the patient is at low risk for heart disease, the doctor might wait to follow up with the patient in three to six months, after they have adopted a healthier lifestyle. A doctor would likely follow up with higher-risk patients within just one month. What the doctor decides to do and how often they follow up with the patient is on a case-by-case basis, and any two cases are handled differently based on the doctor's professional judgement.
Treatment starts with lifestyle changes. If the patient is at low risk for heart disease, the doctor might wait to follow up with the patient in three to six months, after they have adopted a healthier lifestyle. A doctor would likely follow up with higher-risk patients within just one month. What the doctor decides to do and how often they follow up with the patient is on a case-by-case basis, and any two cases are handled differently based on the doctor's professional judgement.
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If making changes to a healthier lifestyle is not enough to decrease the patient’s blood pressure to a healthy level, then the doctor will likely recommend medication.
At this stage, there will probably not be any signs or symptoms of a problem.
If systolic blood pressure is 140 or more, or diastolic blood pressure is 90 or more, the patient is considered to have Stage 2 hypertension.
If blood pressure reaches Stage 2, the patient will be told to make lifestyle changes and be put on medication to control their hypertension.
At this stage, signs or symptoms of a problem may still go unnoticed.
If blood pressure reaches Stage 2, the patient will be told to make lifestyle changes and be put on medication to control their hypertension.
At this stage, signs or symptoms of a problem may still go unnoticed.
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If blood pressure is not adequately controlled, it can lead to a hypertensive crisis. A hypertensive crisis is a systolic reading over 180 or a diastolic reading over 120. Urgent care is needed for anyone whose blood pressure reaches
this level.
Blood pressure that is this high can be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- visual changes
- symptoms of stroke
- blood in the urine
- dizziness
- headache
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Heart Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
What is it?
Coronary artery disease may also be called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease. It is caused by cholesterol-containing products, plaque, sticking to the walls of the artery. Plaque can build up and narrow the
arteries. Over time, this either partially or completely blocks the arteries, causing a slowing or stopping of the blood flow to the heart. This build-up does not happen all at once. It builds up and develops over time, often decades.
Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries, begins when the inner layer of the coronary arteries is damaged in some way, most often by one of the risk factors listed on the next page. This causes a site that plaque can build up on, similar to a scab. Once plaque begins to build up, more plaque sticks to it.
Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries, begins when the inner layer of the coronary arteries is damaged in some way, most often by one of the risk factors listed on the next page. This causes a site that plaque can build up on, similar to a scab. Once plaque begins to build up, more plaque sticks to it.
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Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
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Like hypertension, coronary artery disease does not have any initial symptoms. It is not until the plaque has built up and the blood flow decreases that symptoms become noticeable.
- Angina—As blood flow to the heart decreases, it causes a feeling of pressure and/or tightness, usually in the middle or left side of the chest. For some people, it may be more of a fleeting pain or sharp pain and felt in the arms, neck, or back. This pain is usually brought on when the patient is under physical or emotional stress. After the stressful event is over, the feeling will usually go away within minutes.
- Shortness of Breath—May develop as a result of the heart not being able to pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the oxygen needs of the patient's body.
- Heart Attack—Is an acute complication of coronary artery disease that happens as a result of a completely blocked coronary artery.
There are a number of conditions or habits that will increase a patient's risk of developing coronary artery disease. Some of these factors a patient can change, others they cannot. Risk factors include:
- high blood pressure
- low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels in the blood
- diabetes
- unhealthy weight
- unhealthy diet
- high alcohol consumption
- sedentary lifestyle
- smoking or chewing tobacco
- using e-cigarettes or vaping
- stress
- depression
- age
- biological sex
- family history
- Indigenous heritage
- South Asian and African heritage
- personal circumstances
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Stroke
What is it?
Earlier you learned that a heart attack is when a blockage in the coronary artery prevents nutrients and oxygen-rich blood from getting to the heart.
Another risk of plaque and artery blockage is a stroke. This happens in a very similar way to a heart attack; plaque builds up and causes a blockage which prevents oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from reaching parts of the brain which causes a loss of brain function.
A second type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke which causes bleeding in the brain, or between the brain and skull, as a result of a weakened blood vessel.
While the initial stroke is an acute event, the effects are usually chronic.
Another risk of plaque and artery blockage is a stroke. This happens in a very similar way to a heart attack; plaque builds up and causes a blockage which prevents oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from reaching parts of the brain which causes a loss of brain function.
A second type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke which causes bleeding in the brain, or between the brain and skull, as a result of a weakened blood vessel.
While the initial stroke is an acute event, the effects are usually chronic.
Courtesy of MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
Courtesy of Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada 2017.
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
Call 911 immediately if a person is experiencing any of these symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of stroke happen quickly and may include:
- sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of the body
- sudden vision changes
- sudden difficulty speaking
- sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements
- sudden problems with walking or balance
- sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches
Call 911 immediately if a person is experiencing any of these symptoms.
The chronic effects of a stroke are dependent upon how severe the damage is and where in the brain the bleed occurred. The severity of long-term damage is dependent upon a number of things, including:
- location of the bleed
- how quickly treatment occurred
- how fast blood was restored to the area
- the ability of the other parts of the brain to take over for the damaged area
- how quickly rehabilitation was started
Minor Stroke
Some people experience minor strokes called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). For some people, these strokes happen regularly. A patient that experiences TIAs is at greater risk for a larger, more serious stroke.
The following video was posted by the University Health Network of Toronto. It was filmed by a patient having a TIA to show and explain what they are like for her. *It is important to note that while many patients with TIA will exhibit a similar response as this patient, experiences may vary.
The following video was posted by the University Health Network of Toronto. It was filmed by a patient having a TIA to show and explain what they are like for her. *It is important to note that while many patients with TIA will exhibit a similar response as this patient, experiences may vary.
Risk Factors
Characteristics and environmental factors that increase your risk of having a stroke are:
- hypertension
- atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat)
- diabetes
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- heavy use of alcohol
- being overweight
- physical inactivity
- sleep apnea
- taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives with estrogen
- increasing age
- race
- biological sex
- family history
- history of stroke
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is it?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is an umbrella term for an irreversible chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There are two diseases that most often fall under the umbrella of COPD:
- Chronic Bronchitis is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, or bronchial tubes. This inflammation causes an overproduction of mucus and narrows or blocks the airways.
- Emphysema is damage to the balloon-like sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, through which oxygen enters the bloodstream. Emphysema causes the alveoli to lose their ability to stretch which, in turn, limits the volume of air that can be inhaled. This reduces the amount of oxygen the body is able to take in.
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Click each coloured tab to view more information.
COPD starts slowly and may start as:
- a chronic cough that may or may not have mucus
- fatigue
- many respiratory infections
- shortness of breath
- trouble catching one’s breath
- wheezing
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If COPD gets worse, the patient may find that even simple activities, such as getting dressed, makes them out of breath. Over time, eating, exercising, and even breathing takes an enormous amount of energy. This can lead to weight loss and increasing weakness.
The number one risk factors for COPD are smoking and vaping. The chemicals in cigarettes and e-cigarettes irritate the inside of the lungs and cause long-term damage.
Breathing chemical fumes, fine dust particles, or pollution over an extended period of time are other, less common causes of COPD.
Breathing chemical fumes, fine dust particles, or pollution over an extended period of time are other, less common causes of COPD.
Asthma
What is it?
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to swell, narrow, and produce extra mucus. Asthma can range from minor irritation to life-altering or life-threatening. There is no cure for asthma, but there are ways to manage it.
Some people may only exhibit signs and symptoms of asthma in certain situations such as:
Some people may only exhibit signs and symptoms of asthma in certain situations such as:
- Exercise–induced asthma may be worse when exercising outdoors or in cold or dry conditions.
- Occupational asthma is triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust.
- Allergy–induced asthma is triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or particles of skin and/or dried saliva shed by pets.
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Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
Signs and symptoms of asthma can vary depending on the patient. A single patient’s signs and symptoms may also change over time. Signs and symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness or pain
- trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
- coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus
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Certain factors increase a patient’s risk of developing asthma, including:
- a family history of asthma
- having other allergic conditions such as dermatitis or hay fever
- being overweight
- being a smoker
- exposure to secondhand smoke
- exposure to environmental pollution
- exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing, and manufacturing
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Cystic Fibrosis
What is it?
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the mucus in the body. When a patient has cystic fibrosis, the mucus in their body, especially in their lungs and intestinal tract, becomes thick and glue-like. This causes the body
to not be able to move the mucus, leading to mucus build-up. This leads to breathing problems, lung disease, and problems with nutrition absorption, digestion, and growth. There is no cure, and the disease generally gets worse over time. Progress
in treatment has led to a steady increase in life expectancy.
Learn More
You may have seen the 2019 movie Five Feet Apart about two teenagers with cystic fibrosis. Check out this article from St. Michael's Hospital to see what the movie got right and what it got wrong.
Click each of the coloured tabs to view more information.
Cystic fibrosis symptoms start early in childhood, so it is typically diagnosed at an early age. While symptoms are not the same for everyone, a baby with cystic fibrosis might have:
- a blocked small intestine at birth leading to an inability to pass their first stool
- very salty sweat or skin
- diarrhea
- not growing or gaining weight as expected
- breathing problems, lung infections, a cough that does not go away, and wheezing
- rounding and flattening (clubbing) of the fingers
- rectal prolapse (part of the rectum protrudes from the anus)
- growths, called polyps, in the nose or sinuses
Courtesy of MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, or as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
The reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, or as having been made in affiliation with or without the endorsement of Alberta Health or AHS.
The gene for cystic fibrosis is a recessive trait. For a person to get the disease, they must inherit the gene from both biological parents. If the gene is inherited from only one parent, the child will not get cystic fibrosis, but they will be
a carrier for the gene and can pass it on to their children if they procreate with another carrier. Being of non-Hispanic European descent increases the chance of a person carrying the gene.
Summary
Now that you have completed Lesson 2, you should have a better understanding of some of the more commonly seen chronic conditions of the cardiac and pulmonary systems of the body. You should be able to explain what the signs and symptoms some of these conditions are. You should also be able to discuss what factors increase the risk of developing these conditions and start to understand how these conditions might be prevented.