Cardiac or respiratory dysfunction and its cause

Sample Answer

Cardiac Dysfunction: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Dysfunction Identification: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. This sustained pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to various serious health problems over time, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. It is often called the "silent killer" because it typically has no symptoms until it causes significant damage.

Cause: The causes of hypertension are categorized into two main types:

Primary (Essential) Hypertension: This is the most common type, accounting for 90-95% of cases. There isn't a single identifiable cause; rather, it's believed to develop gradually over many years due to a combination of genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors. Key contributing lifestyle factors include:

• Unhealthy Diet: High intake of sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyle.
• Obesity or Overweight: Excess body weight increases the demand on the cardiovascular system.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy and regular drinking.
• Smoking: Damages blood vessel walls and narrows arteries.
• Chronic Stress: Can temporarily raise blood pressure and potentially contribute to long-term hypertension.
• Age: Risk increases with age.
• Family History: A genetic predisposition to high blood pressure.