3.4 Mass Transport Flashcards
Define Atheroma
What is the does an Atheroma cause?
Fibrous plaque that narrows the lumen of the artery
Restricted blood flow - partially blocks lumen of artery
High blood pressure
Weakens artery
What is an aneurysm?
Balloon like swelling of the artery
How does an aneurysm form?
What could happen to an aneurysm?
Atheroma weakens artery and increases blood pressure
High blood pressure causes inner layer of artery to push through the outer elastic layer to form an aneurysm
It could burst and cause bleeding
What is thrombosis?
Formation of a blood clot
How does thrombosis occur?
Atheroma plaque ruptures endothelium of artery
Damages wall and leaves rough surface
Platelets and fibrin accumulate at site to form a blood clot
Blood clot causes complete blockage of artery or becomes dislodged and blocks a blood vessel elsewhere
What can the debris of a blood clot rupture cause?
Another blood clot further down the artery
What are the risk factors of cardiovascular disease?
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Cigarettes smoking
Why is a high blood pressure a risk factor?
Increases risk of damage to artery walls
Why is high blood cholesterol a risk factor?
Cholesterol is a main constituent of the fatty deposits that form atheromas
Why is cigarette smoking a risk factor?
Carbon monoxide and nicotine increase risk
CO combines with haemoglobin which reduces amount of oxygen transported in the blood
Less oxygen increases change of heart attack
Smoking decreases amount of antioxidants in the blood which are important for protecting cells from damage. Cell damage in coronary artery can cause an Atheroma
What is another word for heart attack?
Myocardial infarction
How does an Atheroma form?
Damage to endothelium layer of artery wall
White blood cells and lipids from blood clump together under the longing to form fatty streaks
Wb cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form Atheroma
