Biology: Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
How are atheromas formed?
-endothelium damaged by high pressure -white blood cells and platelets repair
-clumped with lipids -build up of fatty streaks forms fibrous plaque
What cardiovascular diseases are caused by atheromas?
-aneurysm -thrombosis -angina -stroke
How do atheromas cause aneuryms?
-blood builds behind blockage -artery walk bulges and weakens -likely wall will split causing internal bleeding
How do atheromas cause thrombosis?
-atheroma bursts through endothelium -platelets accumulate at damage site -blood clots
-blocks arteries/veins completely
How is angina caused by atheromas?
-plaque build in coronary arteries -reduces blood flow -insufficient blood, anaerobic respiration -pain in chest, arms and breathlessness
How can atheromas cause strokes?
-disrupt blood supply to brain -bleeding from damaged vessel or blockage
How can atheromas stimulate a myocardial infraction?
-walls around plaque stiffen and crack -platelets detect damage, initiate clotting mechanism
-clots in coronary artery, muscle starved of oxygen and nutrients -contraction stops
How does hypertension increase the likelihood of atheromas?
more friction, increases risk of arterial wall damage
What factors increase risk of hypertension?
-obesity -lack of exercise -excessive alcohol consumption
How is the risk of hypertension reduced?
-healthy weight -diet with less saturated fat -reduce alcohol consumption -regular exercise
How does high blood cholesterol increase the risk of atheromas?
cholesterol main constituent of fatty deposits
What risk factors increase high blood cholesterol?
-diet of high saturated fat and salt
How can the risk of high blood cholesterol be reduced?
-diet of low saturated fat content -regular exercise -healthy weight
What are the effects of smoking in relation to cardiovascular disease?
-carbon monoxide binds with haemoglobin, less oxygen -decreases antioxidants, cell unprotected from damage -nicotine narrows arteries, hypertension -all of which increase likelihood of atheromas
How can the risks of smoking be reduced?
DONT SMOKE
