3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the 3 stages of a cardiovascular disease

A
  1. Atheroma Formation
  2. Atheroma = Aneurysm and Thrombosis
  3. Interrupted Blood Flow to Heart = Myocardial Infarction
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2
Q

Describe how atheroma forms

A
  1. Damage to endothelium of artery (e.g. by high blood pressure) = WBCs (mostly macrophages) and lipids from blood clump together under lining = form fatty streaks
  2. Overtime, WBCs, lipids and connective tissue build up & harden to form fibrous plaque called atheroma
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3
Q

What can the plaque (atheroma) do and cause?

A

Plaque blocks lumen of artery & restricts blood flow → causes blood pressure to increase

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4
Q

When does coronary heart disease (CHD) occur?

A
  • When coronary arteries have lots of atheromas = restricts blood flow to heart muscle
  • Leads to myocardial infarction
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5
Q

Name the 2 types of disease that affects arteries

A
  1. Aneurysm
  2. Thrombosis
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6
Q

What is aneurysm?

A

Balloon-like swelling of artery

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7
Q

Describe how an aneurysm occurs

A
  1. Atheroma plaques damage and weakens arteries
    • Narrow arteries = ↑ blood pressure
  2. When blood travels through weakened artery at high pressure = pushes inner layers of artery though outer elastic layer to form balloon-like swelling = aneurysm
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8
Q

What may happen to an aneurysm?

A

Aneurysm may burst causing bleeding

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9
Q

What is thrombosis?

A

Formation of blood clot

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10
Q

Describe how thrombosis occurs

A
  1. Atheroma plaque can burst through endothelium of artery
  2. Damages artery wall & leaves rough surface
  3. Platelets and fibrin accumulate at site of damage & form blood clot (thrombus)
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11
Q

Thrombosis

What can the blood clot do & what can this lead to?

A
  • Blood clot can cause complete blockage of artery or can become dislodged & block blood vessel elsewhere
  • Debris from rupture can cause another blood clot to form further down artery
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12
Q

Describe how a myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs

A
  1. Coronary artery blocked = area of heart muscle cut off from blood supply, no oxygen
  2. Causes myocardial infarction (heart attack)
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13
Q

What does a heart attack cause?

A

Damage and death of heart muscle

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14
Q

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

A

Pain in chest/upper body, shortness of breath and sweating

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15
Q

Name 4 factors that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  1. High blood pressure
  2. Smoking
  3. High blood cholesterol
  4. Poor diet
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16
Q

Explain how increasing blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  1. High blood pressure increases risk of damage to artery walls
  2. Damaged walls = increased risk of atheroma formation = ↑ blood pressure
  3. Atheromas = blood clots
    • Block flow of blood to heart muscle = myocardial infarction
17
Q

Name 3 things that can increase blood pressure

A

Being overweight, not exercising and excessive alcohol consumption

18
Q

Describe how the nicotine from smoking can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A

Increases risk of high blood pressure

19
Q

Describe how the carbon monoxide from smoking can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  1. Combines with haemoglobin and reduce amount of oxygen transported in blood
  2. Reduces amount of oxygen available to tissues
  3. If heart muscles ≠ oxygen → heart attack
20
Q

Smoking ______ the amount of _______ in blood

A

Smoking decreases the amount of antioxidants in blood

21
Q

Smoking

Explain how decreasing the amount of antioxidants in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  • Antioxidants = important for protecting cells from damage
  • Fewer antioxidants = cell damage in coronary artery walls more likely = atheroma formation
22
Q

Describe how high blood cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  • Cholesterol is main constituents of fatty deposits that form atheromas
  • Atheromas = increased blood pressure & blood clots
  • Blocks flow of blood to coronary arteries = myocardial infarction
23
Q

Describe how a poor diet can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A
  • Diet high in saturated fat = high blood cholesterol levels (high LDLs)
  • Diet high in salt = increases risk of cardiovascular disease ∵ increases risk of high blood pressure
24
Q

What do high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) do?

A
  • Remove cholesterol from tissues and transport it to liver for excretion
  • Help protect arteries against heart disease
25
Q

What do low-density lipoproteins (HDLs) do?

A

Transport cholesterol from liver to tissues (artery walls) = atheroma

26
Q

Name 2 factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease but can’t be controlled

A
  • Having a genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease
  • High blood pressure as a result of another condition e.g. some forms of diabetes