Cardiovascular 2 Flashcards
what is the most important risk factor in atherosclerosis
hyperlipidaemia
what are the 2 processes in atherosclerosis that result in disease
chronic inflammation and healing
describe chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis
high cholesterol damages the endothelial cells on blood vessels. these then increase their permeability to allow lipid and monocytes to move into the tunica intima. macrophages then engulf the lipid but cannot do anything with it. instead it forms foam cells
describe healing in atherosclerosis
cytokines then move to the site of inflammation, cause proliferation of smooth muscle, this then forms a fibrous cap over the foam cells. this is now known as an atheroma
how can chronic periodontitis be related to hypertension
the inflammatory markers produced in perio disease migrate to the liver and can increase systemic inflammation which increases atherosclerosis production
give an example of a chronic coronary condition
ventricular hypertrophy - caused by hypertension, pump has to pump harder against more resistance, heart muscle increases in size as myocytes proliferate, size of chamber decreases in size and blood flow to heart remains the same, becomes ischaemic
what kinds of valvular disease
insufficiency - failure to close
stenosis - failure to open
why might a blood vessel tumour appear in the elderly
haemangioma - hamartoma is congenital, bengin but as the mucosa thins with age it becomes apparent
what causes kaposi sarcoma and who is more vulnerable
human herpes virus 8, immunocompromised people especially HIV positive patients
what defines hypertension
raised blood pressure, higher than 140/90, take 3 measurements with 15 mins of rest between
what are some risk factors for hypertension
age - less elasticity, gender, genetics, obesity and diabetes
what is the result of hypertension
increased atherosclerosis, increases risk of heart problems, stroke and dvt. also can result in renal failure
what are the types of hypertension
essential - unsure of cause
renal - caused by renal stenosis, low blood flow to kidney, increases renin secretion to increase fluid retention
endocrine - tumour on adrenal gland, pressing on kidney and increasing cortisol secretion - increasing fluid resorption
what are the signs and symptoms of hypertension
usually none, may have a headache or TIA
what investigations can be done
urine sample - check electrolytes for reabsorption in kidney, check blood for creatinine, urea and cholesterol
how is hypertension treated
elderly - diuretics and calcium channel blockers
young - beta blockers and ACE inhibitors
what is heart failure defined as
heart unable to meet demands of body
what is the difference between high output and low output heart failure
high - when heart cant meet demands as demands are increasing, low - when heart cant meet basic demands
how can heart failure and hypertension be linked
heart failure - body thinks body has lost blood due to reduced output, increases blood pressure to counteract, this then makes heart failure worse
what might cause heart failure
damage to heart muscle - angina or MI
pressure overload - aortic stenosis, hypertension
arrythmias - atrial fibrillation, drugs - beta blockers, corticosteroids and anti-cancer drugs
what are the symptoms and signs for heart failure
depends on what side is effected
left - tachycardia, low HR, breathless, low bp
right - liver and gastrointestinal problems, oedema and ascites - increased venous pressure