Human Circulatory System
This short video is a good introduction to how the circulatory system works, with very good graphics to demonstrate what is happening.
Human heart anatomy
Cardiovascular System 1, Heart, Structure and Function (Dr John Campbell)
Heart Structure and Function Basics video from Anatomy Zone
What Happens During a Heart Attack | Anatomy of a Heart Attack
About Blood:
Blood types matter (YouTube video)
Human heart anatomy
Cardiovascular System 1, Heart, Structure and Function (Dr John Campbell)
Heart Structure and Function Basics video from Anatomy Zone
What Happens During a Heart Attack | Anatomy of a Heart Attack
About Blood:
Blood types matter (YouTube video)
Hypertension - An Introduction to High Blood Pressure
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
The ratio potassium-to-magnesium intake and high blood pressure
" Our results suggest that, in healthy individuals with magnesium and potassium intake below recommended dietary allowance, the high potassium-to-magnesium ratio is inversely associated with incident high blood pressure."
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement
It's very rare for this procedure to be done thoroughly.
The recommendations are:
(If not followed correctly, each of these points will make the BP to be higher than it otherwise is).
-the patient should be seated in a chair for 5 minutes.
-the arms should be bare and supported.
-no cigarettes or coffee, and no talking during procedure.
-properly fitting cuff (the cuff is often too small, more than half of patients need an intermediate cuff). Home kits for taking BP often include cuffs that are too small, and when having BP taken at a health fare or supermarket the machine will also likely feature a cuff that is too small for many people.
-multiple readings should be taken during a single appointment, several minutes apart at least, and then averaged together.
-hypertension (having high BP) can only be diagnosed after a pattern of high BP readings, not just after a single visit. If a health care provider tells you that your BP is high after taking it during one visit, they mean that the numbers were high in the moment but this is NOT the same as diagnosing
Hypertension.
It's very rare for this procedure to be done thoroughly.
The recommendations are:
(If not followed correctly, each of these points will make the BP to be higher than it otherwise is).
-the patient should be seated in a chair for 5 minutes.
-the arms should be bare and supported.
-no cigarettes or coffee, and no talking during procedure.
-properly fitting cuff (the cuff is often too small, more than half of patients need an intermediate cuff). Home kits for taking BP often include cuffs that are too small, and when having BP taken at a health fare or supermarket the machine will also likely feature a cuff that is too small for many people.
-multiple readings should be taken during a single appointment, several minutes apart at least, and then averaged together.
-hypertension (having high BP) can only be diagnosed after a pattern of high BP readings, not just after a single visit. If a health care provider tells you that your BP is high after taking it during one visit, they mean that the numbers were high in the moment but this is NOT the same as diagnosing
Hypertension.
Key minerals to help control blood pressure
This page on the Harvard Medical School's website details the important role that calcium, magnesium, and potassium play in regulating blood pressure. People who take diuretic medication can lose these minerals in their urine and become deficient.
Calcium - "Calcium is important for healthy blood pressure because it helps blood vessels tighten and relax when they need to". There is disagreement among medical experts regarding the optimal level of calcium in the body. There are some studies that seem to show a higher incidence of heart disease in people consuming the RDA or higher of calcium, so many doctors recommend getting all of your calcium from your diet and avoiding supplements. (Note- many foods that are high in calcium, such as spinach, some other leafy greens, and cow dairy are high in anti-nutrients that block the absorption of calcium so are actually low in bioavailable calcium. Also, some doctors have encouraged patients to take Tums or other antacids because they contain calcium, however the form they contain is calcium carbonate which is not bioavailable, and they actually interfere with the absorption of calcium from any source because adequate stomach acid is required to break food down enough for your body to get access to the calcium it contains.)
Magnesium - "We need magnesium to help blood vessels relax." Many foods are high in magnesium, but as with calcium, anti-nutrients can block its absorption. Magnesium is often taken "to bowel tolerance", meaning that to much magnesium supplementation can trigger a laxative effect and diarrhea.
Potassium - "Normal body levels of potassium are important for muscle function, including relaxing the walls of the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure". Potassium levels in the blood have a strong effect on the heart so it is important to be careful to get an amount within the proper range. A doctor can help you with this. Potassium is in many foods so most people can get plenty in their diet if they are conscientious.
This page on the Harvard Medical School's website details the important role that calcium, magnesium, and potassium play in regulating blood pressure. People who take diuretic medication can lose these minerals in their urine and become deficient.
Calcium - "Calcium is important for healthy blood pressure because it helps blood vessels tighten and relax when they need to". There is disagreement among medical experts regarding the optimal level of calcium in the body. There are some studies that seem to show a higher incidence of heart disease in people consuming the RDA or higher of calcium, so many doctors recommend getting all of your calcium from your diet and avoiding supplements. (Note- many foods that are high in calcium, such as spinach, some other leafy greens, and cow dairy are high in anti-nutrients that block the absorption of calcium so are actually low in bioavailable calcium. Also, some doctors have encouraged patients to take Tums or other antacids because they contain calcium, however the form they contain is calcium carbonate which is not bioavailable, and they actually interfere with the absorption of calcium from any source because adequate stomach acid is required to break food down enough for your body to get access to the calcium it contains.)
Magnesium - "We need magnesium to help blood vessels relax." Many foods are high in magnesium, but as with calcium, anti-nutrients can block its absorption. Magnesium is often taken "to bowel tolerance", meaning that to much magnesium supplementation can trigger a laxative effect and diarrhea.
Potassium - "Normal body levels of potassium are important for muscle function, including relaxing the walls of the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure". Potassium levels in the blood have a strong effect on the heart so it is important to be careful to get an amount within the proper range. A doctor can help you with this. Potassium is in many foods so most people can get plenty in their diet if they are conscientious.
The ratio potassium-to-magnesium intake and high blood pressure
" Our results suggest that, in healthy individuals with magnesium and potassium intake below recommended dietary allowance, the high potassium-to-magnesium ratio is inversely associated with incident high blood pressure."
Electrolyte minerals intake and cardiovascular health
"Appropriate intake of micronutrient, such as electrolyte minerals is critical for the well-being of the cardiovascular health system. However, there are some debates regarding the impacts of dietary and/or supplemental intake of these minerals, on the risk of cardiovascular events and associated risk factors. High sodium intake is adversely associated with the risk of hypertension. Although many reports refered to the positive association of Na intake and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, however, other studies indicated that low Na intake is related to higher risk of all-cause mortality and HF-related events. By contrast, dietary potassium, magnesium and calcium have an inverse correlation with cardiovascular events and risk factors, especially with blood pressure. There are some controversies about cardiovascular effects and all-cause mortality of high Ca intake, including no effect, preventive or adverse effect with or without vitamin D. Calcium supplementation might be beneficial for prevention of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality only in individuals with low intake. Moreover, calcium intake showed a J- or U-shaped association with the risk of cardiovascular diseases."
"Appropriate intake of micronutrient, such as electrolyte minerals is critical for the well-being of the cardiovascular health system. However, there are some debates regarding the impacts of dietary and/or supplemental intake of these minerals, on the risk of cardiovascular events and associated risk factors. High sodium intake is adversely associated with the risk of hypertension. Although many reports refered to the positive association of Na intake and cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, however, other studies indicated that low Na intake is related to higher risk of all-cause mortality and HF-related events. By contrast, dietary potassium, magnesium and calcium have an inverse correlation with cardiovascular events and risk factors, especially with blood pressure. There are some controversies about cardiovascular effects and all-cause mortality of high Ca intake, including no effect, preventive or adverse effect with or without vitamin D. Calcium supplementation might be beneficial for prevention of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality only in individuals with low intake. Moreover, calcium intake showed a J- or U-shaped association with the risk of cardiovascular diseases."
Associations of Dietary Zinc-Vitamin B6 Ratio with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016
"a high dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio increasing the risk of CVD mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.19−1.35), whereas a moderate dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio appeared to be beneficial for CVD mortality. These results suggest that increasing the appropriate proportion of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake is associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality."
"a high dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio increasing the risk of CVD mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.19−1.35), whereas a moderate dietary zinc−vitamin B6 ratio appeared to be beneficial for CVD mortality. These results suggest that increasing the appropriate proportion of dietary zinc and vitamin B6 intake is associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality."
The neurotransmitter norepinephrine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it raises blood pressure.
Specific Symptoms, Conditions, and Disorders:
Acute Coronary Syndrome "ACS is a manifestation of CHD (coronary heart disease) and usually a result of plaque disruption in coronary arteries (atherosclerosis)." This page from Mayo Clinic provides information about the testing that will be done at a hospital to determine if you are having a heart attack or unstable angina. Kounis Syndrome (see this post) is a form of ACS in which mast cells and eosinophils are involved.
Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Aneurysms (brain, aortic, abdominal) - "An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst (rupture), causing internal bleeding and often leading to death. Aneurysms usually don't cause symptoms, so you might not know you have an aneurysm even if it's large."
Acute Coronary Syndrome "ACS is a manifestation of CHD (coronary heart disease) and usually a result of plaque disruption in coronary arteries (atherosclerosis)." This page from Mayo Clinic provides information about the testing that will be done at a hospital to determine if you are having a heart attack or unstable angina. Kounis Syndrome (see this post) is a form of ACS in which mast cells and eosinophils are involved.
Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Aneurysms (brain, aortic, abdominal) - "An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst (rupture), causing internal bleeding and often leading to death. Aneurysms usually don't cause symptoms, so you might not know you have an aneurysm even if it's large."
Bradycardia is "an abnormally low heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute."
Carcinoid heart disease occurs when high levels of vasoactive substances
released from liver neuroendocrine metastases flow to the right heart
and cause endocardial damage.
Carcinoid Heart Disease: Review of Current Knowledge (2019)
Carcinoid Heart Disease Guidelines (from American College of Cardiology)
Carcinoid Heart Disease: Review of Current Knowledge (2019)
Carcinoid Heart Disease Guidelines (from American College of Cardiology)
Heart Failure (Compensated and De-compensated) "Heart failure — sometimes known as congestive heart failure — occurs
when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this
happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs,
causing shortness of breath."
Hemochromatosis comprises a group of inherited disorders that can cause iron overload, which primarily affects the liver and joints and results from a failure in the regulation of the key liver-derived iron regulatory hormone hepcidin to respond to increasing iron stores.
Kounis Syndrome (Allergic heart attack)
Kounis Syndrome (Allergic heart attack)
Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Platelet Storage Pool Deficiencies - "Platelet storage pool deficiencies are bleeding disorders caused by problems with platelet granules. Granules are little sacs inside the platelet where proteins and other chemicals are stored."
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension "PAH is a specific type of high blood pressure that affects your heart and lungs. When you have PAH, the blood vessels in your lungs become narrower. This means your heart has to work harder to pump blood to your lungs."
Platelet Storage Pool Deficiencies - "Platelet storage pool deficiencies are bleeding disorders caused by problems with platelet granules. Granules are little sacs inside the platelet where proteins and other chemicals are stored."
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension "PAH is a specific type of high blood pressure that affects your heart and lungs. When you have PAH, the blood vessels in your lungs become narrower. This means your heart has to work harder to pump blood to your lungs."
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia Vera: Signs and SymptomsIs a myeloproliferative neoplasm, technically a chronic blood cancer. Almost all patients have a JAK2 mutation. Primary finding is a high red blood cell count and may also include high white cell count and high platelet count. Patients are usually a bit older, may be prone to clots. Often found on routine blood testing. Some have an enlarged spleen. Other symptoms can include itching, fatigue, and blood clotting. Bone Marrow can become scarred/fibrotic. Sweating and fevers for no reason. Later in disease may have anemia or underproduction of some blood cells.
How I Treat Polycythemia Vera - Alessandro Vannucchi, MD
Tachycardia "is an abnormally fast heartbeat, causing the heart to beat more than 100 times per minute at rest. There are three types of tachycardia: sinus, supraventricular, and ventricular. Changes from the normal sequence of the heart’s electrical impulses cause all three types of this heart rhythm problem."
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Polycythemia Vera: Signs and SymptomsIs a myeloproliferative neoplasm, technically a chronic blood cancer. Almost all patients have a JAK2 mutation. Primary finding is a high red blood cell count and may also include high white cell count and high platelet count. Patients are usually a bit older, may be prone to clots. Often found on routine blood testing. Some have an enlarged spleen. Other symptoms can include itching, fatigue, and blood clotting. Bone Marrow can become scarred/fibrotic. Sweating and fevers for no reason. Later in disease may have anemia or underproduction of some blood cells.
How I Treat Polycythemia Vera - Alessandro Vannucchi, MD
Tachycardia "is an abnormally fast heartbeat, causing the heart to beat more than 100 times per minute at rest. There are three types of tachycardia: sinus, supraventricular, and ventricular. Changes from the normal sequence of the heart’s electrical impulses cause all three types of this heart rhythm problem."
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Understanding Testing and Test Results:
How Heart Failure is Diagnosed
BNP can help differentiate if shortness of breath is coming from heart or lungs.
Hematology – Elevated Hemoglobin: By Karima Khamisa M.D.
