Atheroma Flashcards
Define atheroma
Build up of fatty material/plaque on the inside wall of an artery
Define atherosclerosis
Narrowing of the artery due to the fatty build up of material/plaque on the inside wall of an artery
Causes of atheroma
Hyperlipidaemia
Disturbed blood flow
Smoking
Hypertension
Where can it occur?
Any artery
Carotid - narrowing causing stroke
Coronary - ischaemic heart disease
Aorta - aneurysm due to weakening of the wall
Complications of atheroma
Develop slowly over decades
Acute symptoms:
- aneurysm & rupture
- thrombosis
- haemorrhage
- embolisation
- critical stenosis = blood flow restriction through the heart
Treatment for atheroma
Revascularization
Secondary prevention
Aetiology of ischaemic heart disease
Imbalance between supply and demand of heart for oxygenated blood
Risk factors
FIXED
- family history
- male sex
- age
- genetic factors (ACE gene deletion)
POTENTIALLY REVERSIBLE WITH TREATMENT
- hyperlipidaemia
- smoking
- hypertension
- diabetes
- lack of exercise
- obesity
- heavy alcohol consumption
Signs and symptoms
Chest pain Shortness of breath Palpitations Syncope Nausea Sweating Pale
Clinical presentation and diagnosis
Stable angina Unstable angina NSTEMI STEMI Sudden death
Complications of myocardial infarction
Cardiac arrest
Arrythmias
Pericarditis
Valvular defects
Explain hyperlipidaemia
LDL cholesterol - ‘bad cholesterol’, delivered to peripheral tissues
HDL cholesterol - ‘good cholesterol’, takes cholesterol from tissues and transports it to liver where it is excreted in bile
Preventing atheroma
Stop smoking Control hypertension Weight reduction Increase exercise Moderation of alcohol Increase HDL/decrease LDL
