Cardiovascular Flashcards
What is an atheroma?
Accumulation of degenerative material in the tunica intima of artery walls
(Macrophage cells, debris, lipids)
How can an atheroma develop?
Atheroma > atheromatous plaque > atherosclerosis
Can develop as we age
What is atherosclerosis?
Hardening of arteries, lipids build up on the side of the wall (tunica intima + medium)
(Atherosclerotic) what could be a result of plaques growing and spreading in the lumen?
The plaques can rupture and cause thrombosis (collapse) and vasoplasms (vessel spasms)
What is Arteriosclerosis?
Degeneration of arterial walls caused by ageing and hypertension (high pressure in veins)
Hardening of arteries occurs when arterial walls thicken and then harden as calcium deposits
What is an aneurysm?
Breakdown in wall of vessel > swell
Abnormal local dialations (ballooning of the vessel)
The risk factors of an aneurysm?
Atheroma
Arteriosclerosis
Hypertension
Defective form of collagen in walls
Trauma
What are the types of aneurysm?
Saccular - looks like a sac
Fusiform - round
Pseudo - looks like something it’s not
Dissecting - split blood flow - trauma
AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
What is Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
Disease process that causes blockage of the extremity arteries
What is the result of PVD?
Reduces overall blood flow - reduces oxygen to extremities
Ischemia and necrosis as a result of demand for oxygen
What is the main symptom of PVD?
+ other symptoms
Intermittent claudication (cramp-like) pain while walking stops on rest
Discolouration - pale, blue, red (skin)
Poor skin and nail health
Cold to touch
High infection risk - takes time to heal
What is cardiac failure?
Cardiac output is unable to maintain the circulation of sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body
What does the body do to combat chronic cardiac dailure?
Compensentory mechanisms
Body has time to adapt
Increased HR to increase output
Increased cardiac muscle fibres - enlarge walls thicker - work harder (hypertrophy)
Heart chambers dilate
What is the result of systolic failure?
Output under 40% is normal
LV struggles to contract due to Ischemia
What is the result of diastolic failure?
Output is normal or increased
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Due to chronic hypertrophy there is a decrease in distension of LV