1.4 Reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease

Question 1

The risk of CVD can be reduced by

Answer 1

• stopping smoking
• maintaining resting BP below 140/85 mmHg
• maintaining low blood cholesterol level
• maintaining a normal BMI/low waist-to-hip ratio
• taking regular physical exercise
• moderate or no use of alcohol

Question 2

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure

ACE inhibitors

Answer 2

ACE inhibitors (angiotensin enzyme inhibitors)
- effective antihyperintensive drugs - reduce synthesis of angiotensin 2 which causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels to help control BP. the drugs prevent the hormone from being produced from angiotensin 1

side effects: dry cough, dizziness, abnormal heart rhythm, reduction in kidney function

Question 3

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure

Calcium channel blockers

Answer 3

• Antihyperintensive drugs
• block calcium channels in the muscle cells in the lining of the arteries.
• calcium is needed for the muscles to contract
• blood vessels don’t constrict and this lowers BP
• side effects: headaches, dizziness, swollen ankles, abnormal heart rhythms, flushing red in the face, constipation. fatal for people with heart failure

Question 4

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure

Diuretics

Answer 4

• Increase the volume of unrine produced by the kidneys- rid the body of excess fluids and salt
• leads to decrease in blood plasma volume and cardiac output
• side effects: dizziness, nausea, muscle craps

Question 5

Cholesterol lowering drugs

Answer 5

Statins
- work by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the production of LDL by the liver.
side effects: tiredness, disturbed sleep, feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and muscle weakness

Question 6

A diet to offer protection against CVD

Answer 6

• energy balanced
• reduced saturated fat
• more polyunsaturated fats
• reduced cholesterol
• reduced salt
• more non-starch polysaccharides such as pectins and guar gum (soluble fibre) - partially digested- form a gel which traps cholesterol and prevents its absorption
• Include oily fish
• more fruit and veg

Question 7

Anticoagulant and platelet inhibitory drug treatment

Answer 7

• aspirin reduces the stickiness of platelets and the likelihood of clot formation - risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
• clopidogrel
  Warfarin- anticoagulant drug
• interferes with the production of vitamin K and therefore it affects the synthesis of clotting factors