Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

what is it

Answer 1

• disease associated with the heart and blood vessels

- most start with atheroma

Question 2

Atheroma formation

Answer 2

-wall of artery made up of several layers = endothelium which is usually smooth and unbroken
if damage occurs to endothelium WBC and lipids from blood clump together under lining to form fatty streaks
-overtime more WBC lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque called an atheroma
-plaque partially blocks lumen of artery and restricts blood flow which causes blood pressure to increase

Question 3

aneurysm

Answer 3

• balloon like swelling of artery
• starts with formation of atheromas as the plaques damage and weaken arteries
• narrow arteries increase blood pressure
• when blood travels through a weakened artery through outer elastic layer to form an aneurysm which may burst and cause a haemorrhage

Question 4

Thrombosis

Answer 4

• formation of a blood clot
• also starts with formation of atheroma’s as it ruptures endothelium of artery
• damages artery wall and leaves a rough surface
• platelets and fibrin accumulate at the site of damage and form a blood clot (thrombus)
• blood clot can cause a complete blockage of artery or become dislodged and block a blood vessel elsewhere in body
• debris from rupture can cause another blood clot to form further down the artery

Question 5

myocardial infarction

Answer 5

• heart muscle is supplied with blood by coronary arteries this blood contains oxygen needed by heart muscle cells to carry out respiration
• if coronary artery becomes completed blocked an area of heart muscle will be totally cut off from its blood supply receiving no oxygen causing myocardial infarction
• heart attack cases damage and death of heart muscle
• symptoms can be pain in chest and upper body shortness of breath and sweating
• if large areas of heart muscle are affected cinokete heart failure can occur often fatal

Question 6

High Blood Pressure

Answer 6

• increases risk of damage to artery walls
• damaged walls increased risk of atheroma formation causing a further increase in blood pressure
• atheromas can cause blood clots to form and block flow out of blood to heart muscle myocardial infarction
• increases blood pressure like overweight no exercise excessive alcohol consumption

Question 7

high blood cholesterol and poor diet

Answer 7

• cholesterol main constituted of fatty deposited that from athermas
• lead to increased blood pressure and blood clots leading to myocardial infarction
• diet high in saturated fat associated with high blood cholesterol
• diet high in salts can also increase risk of cardiovascular disease because it increases the risk of high blood pressure

Question 8

cigarette smoking

Answer 8

• carbon monoxide and nicotine found in cigarette smoke can increase risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction
• carbon monoxide combines with Hb and reduces amount of oxygen transported in blood
• reduces amount of oxygen available to tissues leading to heart attack
• decreases antioxidants which protects cell from damage so cell damage in arteries walls are more likely so atheroma