Cardiovascular Disease Information Essay Example for Free

Cardiovascular Disease Information Essay Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in over half of the people in this country. It affects all aspects of the heart function, from the arteries that supply the blood to the valves to the heart muscle itself. Heart and blood vessel disease- cardiovascular disease – includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque build up I the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood lot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. Some of the symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease are chest pains, sudden numbness of arms or face, strokes or congestive heart failure. Cardiovascular disease can be managed by following a lean strict diet, keeping your cholesterol down, not smoking, maintaining your blood pressure and exercising regularly. It is said that if you exercise for about 30 minutes a day every day, that will keep you healthy and your heart pumping. Congestive Heart Failure refers to a poorly pumping heart that causes a fluid back up in the heart, lungs and other organs. The symptoms are shortness of breath, swelling in the body and debilitating fatigue. It is said that congestive heart failure is the most common cardiac condition among the elderly. Heart failure can start from an unnoticeable condition, which can progress to a debilitating disease. The way to check to see if you have a heart problem is by having an Echocardiogram which monitors your heart and makes sure everything is functioning properly. This disease can also be controlled by maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking, controlling your weight, and following a good exercise regimen. Maintaining your weight is also an important factor.

Heideggers Reading of Descartes Dualism Essay -- Dualism Essays

Heidegger's Reading of Descartes' Dualism ABSTRACT: The problem of traditional epistemology is the relation of subject to external world. The distinction between subject and object makes possible the distinction between the knower and what is known. Starting with Descartes, the subject is a thinking thing that is not extended, and the object is an extended thing which does not think. Heidegger rejects this distinction between subject and object by arguing that there is no subject distinct from the external world of things because Dasein is essentially Being-in-the-world. Heidegger challenges the Cartesian legacy in epistemology in two ways. First, there is the modern tendency toward subjectivism and individualism that started with Descartes' discovery of the 'cogito.' Second, there is the technological orientation of the modern world that originated in the Cartesian understanding of the mathematical and external physical world. Descartes stands at the beginning of modern philosophy and Heidegger accepts Descartes' role in the history of metaphysics. Descartes is the first thinker who discovers the "cogito sum" as an indubitable and the most certain foundation and thereby liberates philosophy from theology. He is the first subjectivistic thinker in the modern philosophy and he grounds his subjectivity on his epistemology. The orientation of the philosophical problems with Descartes starts from the "ego" (the "subject") because in the modern philosophy the "subject" is given to the knower first and as the only certain thing, i.e., the only "subject" is accessible immediately and certainly. For Descartes, the "subject" (the "ego", the "I", "res cogitans") is something that thinks, i.e., something that represents, perceive... ...icture", The Question of Technology and Other Essays. Trans. by William Levitt. (New York: Harper and Row Pub., 1977.), 127. (27) Bernard Charles Flynn, "Descartes and the Ontology of Subjectivity", Man and World, (Vol. 16, No: 1, 1983), 10. (28) Ibid., 10. (29) Ibid., 14. (30) Ibid., 14. (31) C. D. Keyes, "An Evaluation of Levinas: Critique of Heidegger" Research in Phenomenology. (Vol. II, PP 121-142, 1972), 131 and Martin Heidegger, Being and Time 46. (32) Ibid., 131. (33) Martin Heidegger, Basic Problems of Phenomenology, 119. (34) John Richardson, Existential Epistemology: A Heideggerian Critique of Descartes Project, (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986), 91. (35) Aristotle, Physics Book IV The Basic Works of Aristotle. Ed. and Intr. by Richard McKeon. (New York: Random House, 1941.), 219b. (36) Martin Heidegger, Being and Time , 376.

Two reactions are a constant from readers on reading John Grisham’s A Time to Kill

One idealistic, self-confident and liberal white lawyer, Jake Brigance, the protagonist is enough to influence the racial prejudice of the Mississippi citizens and bring about a judicial change. The second reaction is one of awe when the reader’s realize that it is Grisham’s first work of fiction.Quantifying Jake’s idealism is difficult. On the one hand he is opportunistic enough to take up an offer that does not seem to be very promising just for the fact that it is closest to his home town (Grisham, 1989, page no.30). But he is a man of extremely disciplined habits as described in Chapter 3. But what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong in the opinion of Brigance. His idealism is distinguished for two very pragmatic qualities attached to it.He is aware that a high profile case can make him very popular and by inference very rich if he succeeds (or may be, even if he is not). But he is also aware that he might be let off if HE as a white had dispensed vi gilante justice if HIS daughter had been brutalized and in that possibility his client Hailey, was being denied natural justice.He was incapable of watching it from the sidelines and he ends up taking the plunge. In the face of several surreal obstacles that crop up, he is in a situation where he seems to be left with nothing in his own words â€Å"I’ll have no wife, no daughter, no house, no practice, no clients, no money, nothing† (Grisham, 1989, page no.464). Still he labors on towards what he believes is justice.Towards the end of the story, his friend and mentor Lucien offers to bribe a juror (sisco) to hang the jury. With so much hanging in the balance for him, his professional and personal life and for his client, Jake rejects his offer. That is the kind of idealism Jake brings to the narrative but makes it so believable by the several instances of drinking binges he allows himself in moments of despair. Idealism is the only fuel that has brought about most inst ances of human greatness, but Grisham ably depicts that it must be very hard, almost breakingly so, for its practitioners.They are sure to be plagued, as was Jake, that a compromise seems safer and so much better, through out the journey towards your goal. It makes the reader ask him/herself sheepishly in their own private recesses, how many they have taken the easy way out. This firm belief in an ideal and the compassion to pursue it no matte what, affects the jurors, the community which they come from and ultimately the entire Mississippi to take cognizance of the silent racism and do something about it.A prerequisite to follow one’s heart when the entire world seems to preach that the journey is not worth it is a self belief, Self-confidence. Jake possesses this quality in ample measure though not of the aggressive variety hung for exhibition around professional boxers or say ball players. When one of the rapist’s mother comes to seek him out as her son’s cou nsel and tells his secretary that he heard he is the best criminal lawyer in the county he replies â€Å"Tell her that’s true. But I’m not interested† (Grisham,   1989, page no.34)He is quietly confident that he has the fire to pursue a case so controversial and also hopes that he would be able to succeed. He has the confidence required to continue with his efforts in the face of increasing and scathing criticism of his stand, his foolhardiness and their possible consequences.The most invisible characteristic of any crusade (this case for Jake was no lesser than a crusade) is not the belief of its proponent in the theory but his belief in his fitness to carry forward such a task. It is a rare single general, scientist or leader who is not plagued by self doubt and the sensibility of his cause, pursuit or research. Any pretensions to such all pervading belief would be arrogance and that is not the measure of any idealistic pursuit.The one factor that keeps winn ing over all the small demons in several rounds of small battles within the confines of the mind and continues to show the way when all the flickers of hope are extinguished is SELF-CONFIDENCE. When a theory or appoint is made with such conviction and self-confidence many in the audience are forced to acknowledge the leanings towards such honesty.The compassion and the confidence in his being right which becomes clear in Jake’s summation helps the Juror Wanda to come up with the honesty to face the truth about their prejudice and help other jurors to face theirs with the ingenious way of closing their eyes and simulating her auto suggestions in their mind9Grisham, 1989, pages 504 &513) It is small wonder that Jake’s client was acquitted with unanimity.The vision that Jake had of a white man being acquitted if he happened to enforce vigilante justice just passed on to the jurors through the sheer force of his belief and confidence in his own self. Being right is general ly very transparent. Only prejudice requires masks and veils

Pericardiumâ€Anatomy and Function

The pericardium is the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, venae cavae, and the pulmonary artery. The heart and pericardium are situated behind the sternum (breastbone) in a position in the middle of the chest cavity known as the mediastinum. The pericardium serves as an outer protective covering of the heart, a vital organ of the circulatory system and cardiovascular system. The primary function of the heart is to help circulate blood to the tissues and organs of the body. Function of the Pericardium The pericardium has several protective functions: Keeps the heart contained within the chest cavity,Prevents the heart from over-expanding when blood volume increases,Limits heart motion,Reduces friction between the heart and surrounding tissues, andProtects the heart against infection. While the pericardium provides a number of valuable functions, it is not essential for life. The heart can maintain normal function without it. Pericardial Membranes The pericardium is divided into three membrane layers: Fibrous pericardium is the outer fibrous sac that covers the heart. It provides an outer protective layer that is attached to the sternum by  sternopericardial ligaments. Fibrous pericardium helps to keep the heart contained within the chest cavity. It also protects the heart from an infection that could potentially spread from nearby organs such as the lungs.Parietal pericardium is the layer between the fibrous pericardium and visceral pericardium. It is continuous with fibrous pericardium and provides an additional layer of insulation for the heart.Visceral pericardium is both the inner layer of the pericardium and the outer layer of the heart wall. Also known as the epicardium, this layer protects the inner heart layers and also assists in the production of pericardial fluid. Epicardium consists of connective tissue elastic fibers and adipose (fat) tissue, which help to support and protect the inner heart layers. Oxygen-rich blood is supplied to the epicardium and inner heart la yers by the coronary arteries. Pericardial Cavity The pericardial cavity lies between the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium. This cavity is filled with pericardial fluid which serves as a shock absorber by reducing friction between the pericardial membranes. There are two pericardial sinuses that pass through the pericardial cavity. A sinus is a passageway or channel. The transverse pericardial sinus is positioned above the left atrium of the heart, anterior to the superior vena cava and posterior to the pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta. The oblique pericardial sinus is situated posteriorly to the heart and is bounded by the inferior vena cava and pulmonary veins. Heart Exterior The surface layer of the heart (epicardium) is directly below the fibrous and parietal pericardium. The external heart surface contains grooves or sulci, which provide passageways for blood vessels of the heart. These sulci run along lines that separate atria from ventricles (atrioventricular sulcus) as well as right and left sides of ventricles (interventricular sulcus). Main blood vessels extending from the heart include the aorta, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary veins, and venae cavae. Pericardial Disorders Pericarditis is a disorder of the pericardium in which the pericardium becomes swollen or inflamed. This inflammation disrupts normal heart function. Pericarditis can be acute (happens suddenly and over quickly) or chronic (happens over a period of time and lasts for a long time). Some causes of pericarditis include bacterial or viral infections, cancer, kidney failure, certain medicines, and heart attack. Pericardial effusion is a condition caused by the accumulation of large amounts of fluid between the pericardium and the heart. This condition can be caused by a number of other conditions that affect the pericardium, such as pericarditis. Cardiac tamponade is pressure build up on the heart due to excessive fluid or blood build up in the pericardium. This excess pressure does not allow the heart ventricles to fully expand. As a result, cardiac output is lowered and blood supply to the body is insufficient. This condition is most commonly caused by hemorrhage due to penetration of the pericardium. The pericardium may become damaged as a result of severe trauma to the chest, a knife or gunshot wound, or accidental puncture during a surgical procedure. Other possible causes of cardiac tamponade include cancer, heart attack, pericarditis, radiation therapy, kidney failure, and lupus.