atheroscelrosis Flashcards
what is one of the most common causes of death in scotland?
cardiovascular disease- atherosclerosis
what is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease in the developing world?
atherosclerosis
is atherosclerosis a multi-system disorder?
YES
how does atherosclerosis affect the brain?
causes cerebral vascular disease leading to a stroke (cerebral infarction)
how does atherosclerosis affect the heart?
affects coronary arteries- causing ischemic heart disease (little blood/oxygen to cardiac muscle) and myocardial infarction (no blood/oxygen to cardiac muscle)
how does atherosclerosis affect the aorta?
causes abdominal aneurysm
how does atherosclerosis affect the kidneys?
causes renal vascular disease
how does atherosclerosis affect the gut?
causes mesenteric ischemia (abdominal pain after eating)
how does atherosclerosis affect the legs?
causes peripheral vascular disease- leading to claudication in legs (pain in calves when walking due to little blood supply to legs)
describe the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- progresses overtime
-damage to inner lining of endothelium
-chronic inflammation
-formation of atherosclerotic plaque due to accumulation of fats/platelets/cholesterol and fibrous tissue
-causing narrowing of lumen= reduced blood/oxygen to tissues- leading to ischemic symptoms
what are the symptoms of ischemic heart disease?
angina- chest pain as not enough o2 to cardiac muscle
- stable- chest pain on exertion
-unstable- chest pain at rest
what are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?
claudication in calves when walking
what are the symptoms of mesenteric ischemia (in gut) ?
abdominal pain after eating
what happens when plaque ruptures?
-platelets accumulate
-thrombus forms over plaque (blood clot)
-artery blocked
-leads of symptoms of infarction (tissue death)
how does plaque rupture affect the heart, brain, legs and gut?
heart- myocardial infarction
brain- cerebral infarction (stroke)
legs- acute gangrene
gut- mesenteric infarction
what can risk factors be categorised into?
modifiable and non-modifiable
what are examples of non-modifiable risks?
-genetics
-age
-gender (more common in males)
what are examples of modifiable risks?
- smoking
-hypertension
-high cholesterol
-diabetes
-overweight
-alcohol
how would you prevent the progression of atherosclerosis?
1- lifestyle modifications e.g smoking cessation
2-control of underlying contributory conditions e.g hypertension
how is high cholesterol controlled?
statins
diet
exercise
what is the normal blood pressure level
120/80 mmHg
what is considered high blood pressure levels?
> 140/90 mmHg or >150/90 if 80 years +
is hypertension symptomatic or asymptomatic?
asymptomatic- unless very high
what is meant by primary hypertension?
NO single underlying cause- but is related to smoking, obesity, alcohol etc
what is meant by secondary hypertension?
when hypertension is caused by another illness eg renal or endocrine illness
what is malignant hypertension?
medical emergency- 160/100 mmHg
what drugs are used to treat hypertension?
combination of meds to reduce blood pressure
- ace inhibitors- “prils”
-angeotensin II antagonist - “sartans”
WILL BE TAKING AT LEAST 1 OF THE ABOVE
-diuretics- bendroflumethazide
-calcium channel blocks- amlodopine
-beta blockers e.g bisoprolol -“orols”
what is the target blood pressure level for patients with hypertension?
140/90 mmHg
what should you do if someone has a genetic risk factor?
cant change genetics- so must modify other risk factors as the more risk factors you have the greater the risk.
