cardiovascular disease

Question 1

atheroma formation

Answer 1

1. if damage occurs in the endothelium (by high blood pressure), white blood cells (mostly macrophages) and lipids from the blood clump together under the lining to form fatty streaks.
2. over time, more white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque called an arethoma.
3. the plaque partially blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, which causes blood pressure to increase.

Question 2

aneurysm definition

Answer 2

a balloon like swelling of the artery

Question 3

aneurysm formation

Answer 3

1. atheroma plaques damage and weaken arteries. they also narrow arteries, increasing blood pressure.
2. when blood travels through a weakened artery at high pressure, it may push the inner layers of the artery through the outer elastic layer to form a balloon-like swelling.
3. this aneurysm may burst, causing a haemorrhage.

Question 4

thrombosis definition

Answer 4

formation of a blood clot

Question 5

thrombosis formation

Answer 5

1. an atheroma plaque can rupture the endothelium of an artery, damaging the artery wall and leaves a rough surface.
2. platelets and fibrin accumulate at the site of damage and form a blood clot (thrombus).
3. this blood clot can cause a complete blockage of the artery, or it can become dislodged and block a blood vessel elsewhere in the body.
4. debris from the rupture can also cause another blood clot to form further down the artery.

Question 6

myocardial infraction symptoms

Answer 6

pain in the chest and upper body, shortness of breath and sweating

Question 7

how does a poor diet increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

Answer 7

1. a diet high in saturated fats is associated with high blood cholesterol levels.
2. a diet high in salts increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Question 8

how does high blood cholesterol increase risk of cardiovascular disease

Answer 8

1. cholesterol is one of the main constituents of fatty deposits that form atheromas.
2. atheromas can lead to increased blood pressure and blood clots, this could block the blood flow to coronary arteries, causing a myocardial infraction.

Question 9

how does cigarette smoking increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

Answer 9

1. nicotine increases the risk of high blood pressure.
2. carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin and reduces the amount of oxygen transported in the blood, and reduces the amount of oxygen available to tissues. if the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen it can lead to a heart attack.
3. smoking decreases the amount of antioxidants in the blood that are important for protecting cells from damage. fewer antioxidants means cell damage in the coronary artery walls is more likely, leading to atheroma formation

Question 10

how does high blood pressure increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

Answer 10

1. high blood pressure increases the risk of damage to the artery walls.
2. damaged walls have an increased risk of atheroma formation, causing a further increase in blood pressure.
3. atheromas can also cause blood clots to form, which could cause myocardial infraction.