Abstract
This paper describes the causes, diagnosis and medications used to treat cardiovascular accidents (CVAs), also known as strokes. The paper also gives an outline of the responsibilities of nurses caring for such patients and what is expected of them.

From the Paper
"A stroke or cardiovascular accident causes damage to the brain when the blood supply is reduced or stopped completely usually by the bursting of a blood vessel or the occlusion of a vessel by a blood clot . A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery and blocks the blood supply to part of the brain. An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks away in another part of the body and blocks an artery in..."

Tags:Cardiovascular accident (CVA), thrombosis, ischemic, hemorrhagic, antithrombolytics, anticoagulants

Abstract
The paper outlines the pathophysiology of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and identifies its signs and symptoms. The paper looks at the tests that are available to confirm the diagnosis of a CVA and examines the patient's course of treatment. The paper also discusses the nurse's role in the education and rehabilitation of the patient.

Outline:
Pathophysiology
Signs and Symptoms
Tests
Medicines, Treatments, and/or Surgeries
What a Nurse Would Do to a CVA Patient

From the Paper
"The fact that a patient is about to have a stroke is not always immediately obvious to casual or even medically-trained observers. The stroke may appear to occur suddenly, even though the conditions that precipitated the stroke have been building up over time. For example, an artery to the patient's brain can be blocked by a blood clot or as an indirect result of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This is called an embolic stroke: a blood clot or a piece of an atherosclerotic plaque detaches itself from the artery wall and travels through the circulatory system, plugging an artery of the brain. A blood clot can also form in a chamber of the heart when the heart beats irregularly. Bleeding in the brain from an aneurysm, a widening and weakening of a blood vessel in the brain, is another common cause of strokes (Definition, 2009, Medicine net).
The symptoms of the onset of the stroke will vary in severity and physical location in the patient's body, depending upon the cause. Some common symptoms that quickly manifest themselves to observers are weakness or paralysis of one side of the patient's body, loss of movement capabilities, and numbness or tingling in a limb or entire side of the body. There can be speech problems and signs of laxity in the facial or muscles. There may be a loss of muscular control, prompting the patient to drool. "A stroke involving the base of the brain can affect balance, vision, swallowing, breathing" and even cause unconsciousness (Definition, 2009, Medicine net).

Tags:treatment, rehabilitation, brain, arteries, blood, clot

Abstract
The paper explains that a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is also known as a stroke and is an injury that occurs to the brain when there is an interruption in blood flow. The paper explains that the interruption in blood flow is caused by a hemorrhage in or around the brain and a CVA causes neurological deficits specific to certain areas of the brain where blood flow is interrupted. The paper reveals that CVA is a major cause of long term disabilities and are the third leading cause of death in the US annually (Randall, 2005).

From the Paper
"A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is also known as a stroke. A CVA is an injury that occurs to the brain when there is an interruption in blood flow. The interruption in blood flow is caused by a hemorrhage in or around the brain. A CVA causes neurological deficits specific to certain areas of the brain where blood flow is interrupted. CVA is a major cause of long term disabilities. CVAs are the third leading cause of death in the US annually (Randall, 2005). CVA patients present symptoms of paralysis or weakness to one side of the body. The unfortunate reality of CVAs is that they are directly related to..."

Tags:cva, strike, adverse

Abstract
This paper gives a brief discussion of dysphagia occurring after a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke. It details the process, the problems caused, and the therapy for such an event.

Tags:CVA, dysphagia, pharyngeal, oral

Abstract
This essay examines the psychological characteristics and psychosocial factors associated with, or causative of, cardiovascular disease. The essay also addresses some models like the cardio reactivity model, psychoneuroimmunology, the role of the sympathetic nervous system in cardiovascular disease, and the HPA axis. The association of certain psychosocial risk factors such as depression leading to medical non-compliance is also dealt with.

Outline:
Introduction
Psychological Factors Associated With or Causative of Cardiovascular Disease
Psychosocial Factors
Cardio Reactivity Model
Psychoneuroimmunology
The Involvement of the Sympathetic Nervous System
The HPA Axis
Association of Psychosocial Risk Factors with Certain Health Behaviors
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Psychological risk factors for coronary syndromes belong to three categories. These include: chronic, episodic, and acute psychological risk factors (Kop, 1999). Chronic psychological risk factors (like hostility) lead to a gradual progression of coronary artery disease. The temporal relation to coronary syndrome is 10 years and the associated cardiovascular risks include hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and increased sympathetic activation. The pathophysiology involves sympathetic activity and elevated lipids. The primary pathological result is atherosclerosis (Kop, 1999).
"Psychological risk factors, which occur episodically (like exhaustion) have a duration, which lasts from few months to two years and can occur again. The temporal relation to coronary syndrome is 2 years and the associated cardiovascular risks include increased blood clotting and inflammation, and a shift of sympatho-vagal balance. The pathophysiology involves sympatho-vagal imbalance, neurohormonal changes, and a procoagulant state. The primary pathological result is altered homeostasis (Kop, 1999)."

Tags:cardiovascular, coronary, stroke, hypertension, artery, congenital, rheumatic, thrombosis, pulmonary, embolism, heart, failure, exercise, smoking, sedentary, diet, chronic, episodic, acute, stressors, depression, maladaptation

Abstract
The paper relates that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across all Western nations and is most prevalent among those with lower socio-economic status. The paper looks at how studies have indicated that 60% to 95% of coronary heart disease can be attributed to certain behaviors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, unfavorable cholesterol profile, and physical activity (Kivimaki, Lawlor, Smith, Kouvonen, Virtanen, Elovainio, & Vahtera, 2007). The apper further reveals that heart disease has become one of the biggest killers of women, responsible for more deaths than "all forms of cancer combined" (Ruskamp-Hatz, 2007, p. 23) and 50,000 more women die from the disease each year than do men; the illness remains a significant health issue for women in the United States with almost 489,000 deaths per year from cardiovascular disease (Ruskamp-Hatz, 2007).

From the Paper
"Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across all Western nations and is most prevalent among those with lower socio-economic status. Studies have indicated that 60% to 95% of coronary heart disease can be attributed to certain behaviors such as hypertension,..."

Tags:nursing, cardiovascular, women

Abstract
The paper reveals that inequalities in socioeconomic status can often be traced to childhood deprivation and patterns of upbringing, and, research indicates that several variables can be modified to reflect the changed realities. The paper takes a look at the recent trends in sociobiological research to demonstrate the impact of education, lifestyle, employment conditions (rewards, incentives, stress-free life) and so forth at the biological markers to effect a successful outcome in terms of cardiovascular and health benefits. The paper also highlights several international case studies from both the developed and developing societies toward this end.

From the Paper
"The contribution of socio-economic status to the incidence of heart disease in a number of societies has been traced to several measures of social inequality. Recent studies have explained coronary risk in terms of individual patterns of behaviour and stressful social and psychological conditions. The paper is an update on the socioeconomic variables of low status, childhood and developmental issues, employment hassles and effort-reward imbalance and their implications for cardiovascular disease risk, to assist in the design of an intervention program at the individual, socioeconomic and socio-psychological levels."

Tags:socioeconomic, cardiovascular, disease

Abstract
"The paper discusses cardiovascular health, highlighting in brief the five basic cardiac systems: coronary arteries, peridardium, myocardium, endocardium and cardiac conductive system. The paper further examines the associated pathologies and NYHA classifications, and the psychological and vocational counseling implications for each of the cardiac categories presented.

From the Paper
"Much can be said about cardiovascular health. As one of the leading causes of death and disability in both men and women, cardiovascular disease must be understood by those at risk, current patients and those in the health profession or allied helping professions seeking to offer assistance. Cardiovascular disease is often a silent killer that can strike without warning. It is often cited as the number one cause of death in men and women in the US. Reyes (2005) states that "at any given time, there are about 6 million Americans with symptoms of cardiovascular disease." "

Tags:cardiovascular, health, issues

Abstract
This paper explains that research has demonstrated that the psychosocial status of the individual is likely to correlate to their cardiovascular fitness. The author points out that positive social roles correlate to a positive status, while negative social roles lead to a lower level of status. The paper uses the Kolcaba Comfort Care Model to identify and promote positive psychosocial development in patients.

From the Paper
"A growing body of data suggests that the emergence and severity of cardiovascular disease is contributed to by the psychosocial status of the body (Barry, 1996). The psychosocial status of the body refers to the correlation of social and psychological factors, and the impact that these factors have - both combined and separately - on the individual's physical status (Barry, 1996; Catherall, 2004). Data suggests that the psychosocial status of the individual has active correlates to the onset and development of heart disease, particularly cardiovascular failure (Drench, 2002; Catherall, 2004). "

Tags:psychosocial, heart, cardiovascular

Abstract
This paper answers a number of specific questions about the cardiovascular system, some of them structural, but many of them tracing blood flow paths through the body. A discussion of the systemic, pulmonary, and fetal circulations is included as well.

From the Paper
"The pulmonary circulation takes de-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs where it is re-oxygenated and returned to the left atrium. From here it passes into the left ventricle. The systemic circulation pumps blood from the left ventricle out to the rest of the body where it delivers oxygen to the tissues and picks up carbon dioxide for discharge from the body by the lungs. It returns the de- oxygenated blood to the right atrium. From here the blood passes into the right ventricle and into the..."

Tags:cardiovascular system, pulmonary circulation, fetal citculation