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> Text Descriptions of Cardiovascular Condition Pictures
Text Descriptions of Cardiovascular
Condition Pictures
Angina
Illustration of a throbbing chest and a man clutching his heart
to indicate angina. Angina is pain or discomfort in the chest that
happens when some part of the heart does not receive enough oxygen
from the blood.
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Atherosclerosis
Illustration of a blood vessel with a cut-away section showing
the cross-section. Subsequent illustrations show the progression
of atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up on the
inner walls of arteries. Plaque is formed from cholesterol, fat,
calcium, and other substances in the blood. In early atherosclerosis,
a fatty streak develops on the inner lining of the blood vessel.
Over time, the streak develops into plaque. In advanced atherosclerosis,
the plaque thickens and the cross section of the inside of the blood
vessel (lumen) of the blood vessel narrows. As the condition advances,
blood flow is restricted.
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Coronary Artery Disease
Illustration of the heart, showing the coronary arteries. One coronary
artery is displayed showing build-up of atherosclerotic plaque.
Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the coronary arteries
are narrowed by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, making
them vulnerable to blockage.
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Heart Attack
Illustration of the heart, showing the coronary arteries and indicating
an area of blocked blood flow. A heart attack is a loss of blood
flow to an area of the heart due to a blockage in the coronary arteries.
Most commonly, the blockage is due to a blood clot in a section
of an artery narrowed by plaque. The coronary arteries are very
important because they supply blood to the heart muscle fibers.
Final illustration shows a throbbing chest and a man clutching his
chest. This illustration indicates the narrowed artery and the area
of cardiac muscle that is not receiving enough oxygen due to a narrowed
coronary artery.
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Heart Failure
Illustration of the inside of a healthy heart and a heart in heart
failure, showing blood flow through the chambers. A healthy heart
pumps blood effectively through the body. Disease or structural
problems can enlarge and weaken the heart, causing it to pump less
effectively (heart failure).
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