B1a

Question 1

what do the words diastolic and systolic mean

Answer 1

systolic = when the blood is under more pressure, when it beats
diastolic = when the blood is under less pressure, when the heart rests between beats

Question 2

give 2 factors that increase blood pressure and 2 that decrease it

Answer 2

increase:

• smoking
• high alcohol intake
• stress
• being overweight
• high salt or saturated fat intake

decrease:
- regular exercise
- balanced diet

Question 3

what are the consequences of having high blood pressure

Answer 3

• blood vessels can weaken and eventually burst

- if they burst in the brain or kidney it can cause serious damage

Question 4

what are the consequences of having low blood pressure

Answer 4

• blood does not circulate efficiently so some organs become deprived of oxygen and glucose
• leads to dizziness, fainting, cold hands and feet

Question 5

what is the difference between fitness and health

Answer 5

fitness = being able to do physical activity well
health = free of disease/ailments

Question 6

how does smoking increase blood pressure

Answer 6

• carbon monoxide binds to the haemoglobin, meaning they cannot transport oxygen (reduces carrying capacity of red blood cells)
• so the heart must compensate by pumping faster

-nicotine increases heart rate

Question 7

how can diet increase the risk of heart disease

Answer 7

eating too many saturated fats leads to cholesterol/plaque build up in arteries
high levels of salts increase blood pressure

Question 8

what is thrombosis

Answer 8

the formation of a blood clot, either through injury to blood vessels or plaque forming, which restricts blood flow to certain parts of the body