Republic of Cameroon

République du Cameroun
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Peace - Work – Fatherland
Paix - Travail – Patrie
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BIAKA University Institute of
Institut Universitaire BIAKA
Buea
de Buea
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Ministry of public health
Ministère de la santé public
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Course title: PHARMACOLOGY (PHA201)

DISEASES OF THE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

List of participants
Name and surnames MATRICULES

DCHOUNE WEKAM MICHELE 21IDE-8842

ALEMAFACK BRENDA 21IDE-1789

DIAMANTIA MANUELLA NDIMIS LEA 21IDE-9882

SUZANNE

Lecturer Name: Mr. Penn

ACADEMIC YEAR
2022-2023

Dr. Lecturer’s Name: Mr.

Penn
Contents
I. INTRODUTION.....................................................................................................................................1

1) Pericarditis...........................................................................................................................................1

2) HEART FAILURE....................................................................................................................................3

3) CARDIOGENIC SHOCK.........................................................................................................................4

4) ANGINA PECTORIS...............................................................................................................................5

5) CARDIOMYOPATHY OR HEART MUSCLE DISEASES..............................................................................6

6) VENOUS THROMBO EMBOLISM (VTE).................................................................................................7

7) RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASES..............................................................................................................8

8) CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE..............................................................................................................8

9) MYOCARDITIS......................................................................................................................................9

10) Mitral VALVE PROLAPSE................................................................................................................10

11) CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.........................................................................................................11

12) HYPERTENSION..............................................................................................................................12

II .CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................14

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2
 INTRODUTION
The cardiovascular system is the transport system of the body.it consist of the heart, blood vessels and
blood itself. The heart is the system’s pump, the blood vessels are like the delivery routes and the blood is
the fluid which contains the oxygen and nutrients that the body needs and carries the waste which needs
to be removed. The cardiovascular system is one of the major system of the body because it serves vital
processes. If the cardiovascular system does not function normally, it may be due to cardiovascular
system disorders such as pericarditis, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy or
heart muscle disease, Venus thrombo embolism, rheumatic heart diseases, hypertension, mitral valve
prolapse, myocarditis, coronary artery diseases.

I. Pericarditis
It is an inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. Pericarditis usually
develops suddenly and may last for weeks up to several months and may go for years. Sometimes there
is extra fluid in the space between the pericardial layers called pericardial effusion.

a. CAUSES
It causes are usually hard to determine (idiopathic pericarditis). Some of its causes include;

 Infection such as COVID-19.

 Immune system responds after a heart damage due to a heart attack or heart surgery.
 Inflammation disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and auto immune diseases such as lupus.
 Injury to the heart or chest.
 Other chronic health conditions, including kidney failure and cancer.
 A complication of a viral infection, most often a gastro-intestinal virus causes viral
pericarditis.
 Genetic disease such as familial mediterenian fever(FMF)

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 Chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis, it is usually felt like a sharp
and stabbing sensation, however some people dull, achy or pressure-like chest pain.
 A dry cough.
 Fever.

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  Anxiety or fatigue.
 Swelling of the legs, feets,ankles in severe cases.
 Difficulties in breathing when lying down.
 Pain in the back ,neck or shoulder

c. COMPLICATIONS
Early diagnosis and treatment of pericarditis usually reduces the risks of complications. Potential
complications of pericarditis include;

 Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion). The fluid buildup can lead to further
heart complications.
 Thickening and scaring of the heart lining (constrictive pericarditis. Some people with
long term pericarditis develop permanent thickening and scaring of the pericardium.
 Pressure on the heart due to fluid buildup. This life threatening condition prevents the
heart from filling properly. Less blood leaves the heart causing a dramatic drop in blood
pressure.

d. MEDICATIONS
 Treatment for acute pericarditis may include;
Medication for pain and inflammation such as ibuprofen or high dose aspirin.
 Depending on the cause of pericarditis, an antibiotic or an antifungal may be needed.
 If you have a chronic pericarditis, you may need to take NSAIDS for several years,even
if you feel well.
 A diuretic (water pill) usually helps to get rid of the extra fluid constructive pericarditis
causes.
 Your health provider may also talk to you about treatment with steroid or other
medications such as azathioprine

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 5 and human immune globulin.

1) HEART FAILURE
It is the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the needs of tissues for oxygen
and nutrients.

The term heart failure indicates myocardial diseases in which there is a problem with the
contraction of the heart (systolic dysfunction) that may or may not cause pulmonary or
systemic congestion.

a) CAUSES
 High blood pressure: This can put extra-strain on the heart which over time can lead
to heart failure.
 Conditions affecting the heart muscles(cardiomyopathy)heart rhythm problems
(arrhythmia).
 Sudden cardiac arrest, such as arterial fibrillation.
 It can happen when several diseases or conditions are present at once.
 A built up of fatty plagues in the arteries(atherosclerosis) is the most common cause
of coronary artery disease.

b) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Dyspnea on exertion.
 Pulmonary crackles that do not clear cough.
 Orthopnea
 Cough on exertion or when supine.
 Lightheadedness.
 Fatigue.
 Weight gain

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  Nocturia
 Oliguria
 Enlarged liver.
 Decreased activity tolerance.

c) COMPLICATIONS
 Kidney damage or failure: Heart failure can reduce blood flow to the kidneys,
which can eventually lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
 Stroke.
 Heart attack: Heart attack may occur if blood clot is stuck in a blood vessel that
goes to the heart.
 Sudden cardiac arrest.
 Aneurysm.

d) MEDICATIONS
Medication is based on the severity, type and cause of heart failure. Specific objectives of medical
management include the following;

 Eliminates or reduce any etiologic contribution factor such as uncontrolled

hypertension.
 Optimize pharmacological and other therapeutic regimen
 Promote a life style conductive to cardiac health.
 Diurectic: is prescribed to remove excess extra cellular fluid by increasing the
rate of urine production in patients with signs and symptoms of overload.
 Calcium channel blockers amlodipine(Norvase) and felodipine(plendil), cause
vasodilation reducing systemic vascular resistance.

2) CARDIOGENIC SHOCK
Cardiogenic shock is a serious condition that happens when your heart can not supply enough oxygen
rich blood to the body to meet its needs. It can be fatal when lack of oxygen causes your organs to fail.

a. CAUSES
 Cardiogenic shock is most often caused by a heart attack

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  Other health problems that may lead to cardiogenic shock include, heart failure which
happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body ‘s need, chest
injuries and blood clots in the lungs

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 Pain or discomfort in your upper body and (or down your left arm) .
 Trouble breathing.
 Sweating or cold sweats.
 Fast or irregular heartbeat.
 Fainting.
 Very slow blood pressure.
 Pale skin.
 Feeling very tired.
 Poor appetite.

c. COMPLICATIONS
 Bleeding
 Chest pain.
 Stroke
 Kidney injury.
 Abnormal heart rhythm

d. MEDICATIONS.
Cardiogenic shock is a life threatening therefore emergency treatment may be needed.
 Medications given intravenously helps to remove excess fluid, improve blood flow
and support the heart function.
 Placement of a temporary monitoring line called a Swan-Ganz catheter which is a
special catheter that monitors the pressures inside the heart medicines may include
 Nitroprusside
 Norepinephrine
 Epinephrine

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  Dobutamine
 Dopamine
 Milrinone
 Furosemide
 Vasopressin

3) ANGINA PECTORIS
Angina Pectoris is a clinical syndrome characterized by paroxysms of pain or a feeling of pressure in the
anterior chest.

a. CAUSES
 It may be due to insufficient coronary blood flow, resulting in an inadequate supply
to meet the myocardial demand.
 Physical exertion.
 Exposure to cold.
 Eating a heavy meal

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 Pains in areas such as the chest, jaw or neck.
 Dizziness.
 Fatigue
 Inability to exercise
 Light-headedness or sweating.
 Rapid breathing.
 Shortness of breath.

c. COMPLICATIONS
 Dysrhythmia
 Cardiac arrest.
 Heart Failure
 Cardiogenic shock.

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 d. MEDICATION
 Nitrates, the main stay of therapy(nitroglycerin).
 Beta –adrenergic blockers (metropole and atenold)
 Calcium channel blocker\calcium on antagonist (amlodipine diltiazem)
 Oxygen therapy.

I. CARDIOMYOPATHY OR HEART MUSCLE DISEASES

It is a condition that affects your heart muscle whereby the heart cannot efficiently pump blood to the
rest of the body. There are three types of cardiomyopathy:

 Dilated cardiomyopathy: This type of heart muscle disease causes the heart
chambers(ventricles) to thin and stretch, growing larger, making it difficult for the heart to pump
blood to the rest of the body.it may lead to heart failure, it may also be as a result of genetic
factor.
 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This type involves Abnormal thickening of the heart muscle,
which makes it harder the heart to work and it mostly affects the muscle of the heart. It can
affect individuals of any age, but the the condition tends to be more severe if it occurs during
childhood. Most people who suffer from this type of cardiomyopathy have a family history of
the disease.
 Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: In this case the heart muscle becomes stiff and less flexible,so it
cannot expand and filled with blood between heart beats.This type can occur at any age but it
mostly affects old people.This type can occur for no reason for it can be caused by a disease
elsewhere in the body that affects the heart such as amyloidosis.

a. CAUSES
Often the cause of cardiomyopathy is unknown.In some people it may be as a result of another
condition acquired or passed on from a parent. There are certain conditions or behaviour that can lead
to cardiomyopathy.Such conditions include;

 Long term high blood pressure

 COVID-19 infection

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  Pregnancy complications
 Drinking too much alcohol over many years
 Use of cocaine.

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

We have;

 Breathlessness during activities or even at rest.

 Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
 Cough while lying down
 Fatigue.
 Chest discomfort and pressure
 Chest pain

c. COMPLICATIONS
Some complications include;

 Heart failure: The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
 Blood clots: Because the heart cannot pump blood, blood clots may form in the heart.
 Cardiac arrest and sudden death.

d. MEDICATIONS
Heart medications can improve blood flow

 Heart surgery:
 Life style :stopping alcohol,monitoring salt intake.
 Angiotension II,receptor blockers,beta blockers and calcium channel blocker to lower blood
pressure

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4) VENOUS THROMBO EMBOLISM (VTE)
It is a blood clot that gets stuck in the vein, blocking the flow of blood.It is a serious condition that
requires emergency and medical attention.

a) CAUSE
It is caused by a damage to a vein from surgery or inflammation and damage due to an infection or an
injury.Veins carry blood from the extremities of your body back to your heart,when a vein is
blocked,blood pools behind the blockage causing inflammation and cells ahead of the blockage cannot
get oxygen and nutrients they need.

b) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 Swelling of the legs.
 Legs pain and or tenderness of the thigh orcalf
 Skin that feels warm to touch.

c) COMPLICATIONS
 Acute pulmonary embolism
 Posthrombotic syndrome.
 Blood clot in the kidney.
 Blood clot in the brain and heart.
 Chronic venous insufficiency.

d) MEDICATION
Anticoagulants: It prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels .for example
Heparin;
Apixaban, Edoxaban, warfarin are used as prophylaxes.

5) RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASES

It is a group of short-term(acute) and long-term(chronic) heart disorders.It is also a condition in which
the heart valves are permanently by rheumatic fever.

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 a) CAUSES

It is a diseases caused by rheumatic fever,an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective
tissues especially in the heart.

b) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may not appear until years after a strep infection or rheumatic fever . we have;

 Chest pain.

 Fatigue
 Shortness of breath
 Swelling in the stomach,hands and feet.

c) COMPLICATIONS
 Arrhythmia:It is the abnormal heartbeat.
 Heartfailure: The heart will not pump blood as it should.
 Arterial fibrillation: Abnormal heart beat in the upper parts of the heart that prevevents
normal blood flow

d) MEDICATIONS
There is no known cure for this pathology, but the treatment can help you to manage the symptoms.

 Anticoagulants can be used to regulate the heart beat, blood clot and stroke.
 Heart valve surgery.

6) CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Congenital heart disease or congenital heart defect is a heart abnormality at birth. We have three
types of congenital heart defect;

 Heart valve defects. The valve inside the heart that directs blood flow may close up or leak.
This interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood correctly.

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  In the heart wall defects: The natural wall that exist between the left and right sides and the
upper and lower chambers of the heart may not develop correctly causing blood to flow back
up into the heart or to build up in places where it does not belong.
 In blood vessels defects: The arteries and veins that carry blood to the heart back out to the
body may not function

a) CAUSES

It can occur as a result of an early development problem in the heart structure. We also have;

 The heart defect may run in families.

 Taking certain unprescribed medications during pregnancy puts a child at higher
riskfor a heart defect.
 Using alcohol or illegal drugs during pregnancy can increase the child ‘s risk of
having a heart defect.

b) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

We have;

Bluish lips,skin and fingers and toes.

c) COMPLICATIONS
Having a history of congenital heart diseases can also increase of blood clot formation inside the heart
and travelling up to the lungs or brain.This can lead pulmonary embolism (whereby the supply of blood
to the brain is blocked).

d) MEDICATIONS
The child may need open heart surgery or minimally invasive heart surgery to repair a congenital heart
disease.

Heart rhythm drugs: It is also called arrhythmics ,they help to control irregular heart beat (arrhythmia).

Water pills:This type of medication reduces the amount of fluid in the body,which reduces the strain of
the heart.

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7) MYOCARDITIS
Myocarditis is a desease that causes the inflammation of the heart muscle(myocardium) associated
with injury and necrosis of individual muscle fibres. It can develop suddenly, it can be reccuring or it can
be long lasting(chronic ). Most people may recover without any lasting effect.But in rare cases, if the
inflammation is severe, it may scar the heart muscle.This damage means the heart has to work harder
to pump blood and oxygen around the body.

a. CAUSES
 It is mostly caused by viruses such as the flu or COVID-19, or another viral infection.
 It can also be caused by parasites such as trichinella that lodge in the myocardium.
 Some other causes include;
 Bacterial infections such as sore throat or fungal infection such as athlete’s foot
 Auto immune disease such as lupus.
 A reaction to harmful toxins such as carbon dioxide or drugs such as cocaine.
 A reaction to certain medicines.

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

chest pain or feeling of tightness in the chest.

Short of breath, when either at rest or active.

Unusual tiredness.

Palpitations (the heart is racing or pounding).

Recent flu-like symptoms such as high fever.

Rarely swellings in hands or feet.

c. COMPLICATIONS
If myocarditis is not treated on time it may lead to the following complications;

 Heart attack or stroke.

 Arrhythmia.
 Sudden cardiac arrest.
 Heart failure.

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 Myocardial infarction.

d. MEDICATIONS
Some of the medications of myocarditis include;

 Arrhythmics: these are drugs which help to control abnormal heart rhythms.
 Beta blockers: They slow down heart rate and decrease blood pressure
 ACE Inhibitors: Relaxes blood vessels, lowers blood pressure.
 In severe cases a heart transplant could be necessary.
 Intra- aortic ballon pump: this is a device that increase blood flow and lower the strain of
the heart.

8) Mitral VALVE PROLAPSE

It is a type of heart valve disease that affects the valves between the chambers of the left side of the
heart. This condition occurs when the valves between the two chambers of the left side of the heart
bulges or balloons into the left atrium during ventricular systole, as a result of this there is improper
closure of the valves of the left side of the heart.

a. CAUSES
Some the causes of mitral valve prolapse include;

 Due to some connective tissues disorders.

 Due to a genetic condition.
 Valve tissue weakness.

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

We have;

 Palpitation (racing or pounding of the heart).

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  Difficuties in breathing or shortness of breath especially during exercise
 Dizziness
 Chest pain
 Depression, anxiety and migraine.

c. COMPLICATIONS
Potential complications of mitral valve prolapse may include;

 Mitral valve regurgitation: The mitral valve flaps does not close tightly. Blood flows
backward when the valve is closed making it harder for the heart to work properly.
Being male or having high blood pressure increases the risks of mitral valve
regurgitation.
 Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
Irregular heartbeats may occur if mitral valve prolapse leads to severe regurgitation
and swelling of upper heart chamber(atrium).

d. MEDICATIONS
 Beta blocker: These are drugs that relax blood vessels and slows down heartbeat.
 Water pills(diuretics): these medications helps to remove salt(sodium) and water through
urine, reducing blood pressure.
 Arrhythmics.
 Blood thinner(anticoagulants): They prevent the coagulation of blood.
 Mitral valve surgery: To replace the valve, which could be made from pig, cow or human
heart tissue or procedure to stretch the valve with a small balloon.

9) CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

This condition is due to the accumulation of fats, cholesterol and other substances(arteriosclerosis) on
the inner walls of the arteries, which the lumen and eventually completely blocks the flow of blood
through them. The hardened walls or plague may burst leading to the formation of blood clots. DUE to

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this condition major blood vessels struggle to send enough oxygenated blood and nutrients to the heart
muscles.

a. CAUSES
 Diabetes or insulin resistance
 High blood pressure
 Accumulation of fatty materials on the walls of the arteries.
 Not getting enough exercise.
 Tobacco use.

b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 Angina or chest pain especially on the left side or Centre of the chest.
 Shortness of breath
 Nausea or vomiting with lightheadedness, dizziness or cold sweat.
 Unusual tiredness
 Heart attack.

c. COMPLICATIONS
 Chest pain.
 Heart failure.
 Irregular heart rhythms
 Cardiac arrest.

d. MEDICATIONS
 Cholesterol drugs: These can help to reduce bad cholesterol and reduce plague build
up in the arteries.
 Aspirin helps to prevent blood clots.
 Beta blockers: they help to slow down heart rate or blood pressure.
 Calcium channels blockers: recommended in case beta blockers do not work
 Ranolazine: may help to reduce chest pain

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  A surgery known as myocardial revasculization could be used to increase blood
supply to the blood

10) HYPERTENSION
It is a condition whereby the systolic blood pressure is greater than 140mmhg mercury and the diastolic
blood pressure is greater than 90mmhg mercury based on the average of two

There are two main types of hypertensions:

Primary hypertension,high blood pressure from an unidentified cause and secondary hypertension
related to an identied cause.It is often refered to as the silent killer because people who have are often
symptoms free.Once identified blood should be monitored at regular intervals because blood pressure
is a life long conditionit.It can be viewed in three ways :

 As a sign:Nurses and other health professionals use blood pressure to monitor the clinical status
of patients.Elevated blood pressure indicates excessive dose of vasoconstriction medication or
other problems.
 As a risk factor for atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease.as it contributes to it.

 As a disease:It is a major contributor to death from cardiac,cerebral,renal and peripheral

vascular diseases.Prolong elevated blood pressure damages the blood vessels through out the
body particulaerly in target organs such as the brain,heart,kidneys and eyes

a. CAUSES
 Arterosclosis: accumulation of fatty materials on the walls of the arteries.
 Stress or anxiety.
 Kidney diseases.
 Illegal drugs such as cocain
 Adrenal glands tumour
 Hypertension of pregnancy
.

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 b. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
 Severe headache
 Anxiety
 Shortness of breath
 Blood pressure above 120|80mmHg.
 Nose bleeding.

c. COMPLICATIONS
 Heart attack.
 Heart failure
 Cerebral hemorrhage due to rupture of the arteries
 Cardiac arrest

d. MEDICATIONS
 Oral diuretics such as thiazide diuretics; The monitor for signs of electrolytes balance.
 Loop diurectics such as furosemide.
 Potassium –sparing diuretics which favours potassium absorption and prevents sodium
retentions.
 Beta blockers.

II .CONCLUSION
In conclusion cardiovascular disease is a general term that describes diseases of the heart and blood
vessels. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cost of death globally with an estimation of 17.9million
each year.so care most be taken in other to prevent cardiovascular pathologies. they can be prevented
through the following way;

 By choosing healthy habits such as exercising regularly

 Choosing good diet.
 Fewer processed foods

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 Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables
 Unsaturated fats

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