Cardiovascular disease

Question 1

what is the start of most cardiovascular diseases?

Answer 1

atheroma formation

Question 2

what is an atheroma?

Answer 2

fibrous plaque; builds up in the arteries

Question 3

what is arthersclerosis and what is it caused by?

Answer 3

progressive cardiovascular disease; caused by the hardening of arteries

Question 4

how does arthersclerosis develop?

Answer 4

raised BP = endothelium damage
= inflammatory response = fatty streak forms = overtime atheroma forms = narrowed arteries = restricted blood flow = raised BP

(the continuing of this cycle is atherosclerosis)

Question 5

why is atheroma formation bad?

Answer 5

narrows arteries; resticts bloodflow; raises BP

Question 6

what are 5 health risks caused by artherscerosis?

Answer 6

aneurysm
heart attack
stroke
coronary heart disease
increased risk of thrombosis

Question 7

how does atherosclerosis increase the risk of thrombosis?

Answer 7

creates more chances for an atheroma to rupture the artery endothelium wall

Question 8

what is thrombosis?

Answer 8

the formation of a blood clot

Question 9

how is thrombosis triggered?

Answer 9

when an atheroma ruptures the artery endothelium wall

Question 10

why is thrombosis dangerous?

Answer 10

blood clots obstruct blood flow

Question 11

what is the clotting cascade?

Answer 11

a series of enzyme controlled reactions in the blood that lead to the formation of a blood clot

Question 12

what are the 5 steps of the clotting cascade?

Answer 12

• thromboplastin released + calcium ions
• triggers conversion of prothrombin to thrombin
• catalyses breakdown of soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin
• forms a network of fibres to trap platelets
  ⇒ BLOOD CLOT

Question 13

is fibrinogen soluble?

Answer 13

YES

Question 14

is fibrin soluble?

Answer 14

NO

Question 15

what are 6 modifiable risk factors of CVD?

Answer 15

• obesity
• lack of exersise
• diet high in cholesterol/ salt/ saturated fats
• smoking

Question 16

what are 3 non-modifiable risk factors of CVD?

Answer 16

genetics, age and sex

Question 17

why is age a risk factor of CVD?

Answer 17

because it reduces elasticity and width of arteries

Question 18

which sex has an increased risk of developing CVD and why?

Answer 18

males and post menopausal women because oestrogen provides protection to endothelium tissue

Question 19

how does lack of exersise/ obesity increase the risk of CVD?

Answer 19

• increases your blood pressure, which increases the risk of endothelium damage

Question 20

How does a diet high in saturated fats increase your risk of developing CVD?

Answer 20

raises your cholesterol levels, which increases the amount of plaque able to form in the arteries

Question 21

how does smoking increases the risk of CVD?

Answer 21

causes endothelium damage

Question 22

what are the 2 ways cholesterol is transported as?

Answer 22

• High Density Lipoproteins
• Low density lipoproteins

Question 23

what are HDLs made up of?

Answer 23

mainly protein, less lipid

Question 24

whats the role of HDLs?

Answer 24

to transport cholesterol from tissue to liver where it’s broken down

Question 25

what are LDLs made up of?

Answer 25

mainly lipid, less protein

Question 26

whats the role of LDLs?

Answer 26

to transport cholesterol from the liver to blood where it's circulated to where it's needed

Question 27

should HDLs be maintained at a high or low level and why?

Answer 27

high, as they reduce blood cholesterol levels

Question 28

should LDLs be maintained at a high or low level and why?

Answer 28

low, as they increase blood cholesterol levels

Question 29

what are the 4 types of CVD drug treatment?

Answer 29

- antihypertensives - statins - anticoagulants - platelet inhibitors

Question 30

what are statins and how do they reduce the risk of CVD?

Answer 30

a group of medicines which inhibit an enzyme in the liver that produces LDL cholesterol

Question 31

what are some side effects of statins?

Answer 31

tiredness, headache, muscle weakness, nausea

Question 32

what are anticoagulants and how do they reduce the risk of CVD?

Answer 32

a group medicines which reduce the risk of clot formation

Question 33

what is the risk of taking anticoagulants?

Answer 33

uncontrolled bleeding

Question 34

how platelet inhibitory drugs reduce the risk of CVD?

Answer 34

prevent platelets from sticking together to form blood clot

Question 35

whats a side effect of taking platelet inhibitors?

Answer 35

stomach lining irritancy

Question 36

what type of drug is aspirin?

Answer 36

a platelet inhibitor

Question 37

what are antihypertensives?

Answer 37

medication which lowers your blood pressure (treating hypertension)

Question 38

what is the main general side effect for all antihypertensives?

Answer 38

dizziness

Question 39

what are 3 types of antihypertensives?

Answer 39

- diuretics - calcium channel blockers - ACE inhibitors

Question 40

how do diuretics reduce the risk of CVD?

Answer 40

lowers your BP by lowering the amount of fluid flowing through the veins and arteries by helping the kidneys remove salt and water through urine

Question 41

how do ACE inhibitors reduce the risk CVD?

Answer 41

lowers your BP by blocking the production of ACE which narrows arteries

Question 42

how do calcium channel blockers reduce the risk of CVD?

Answer 42

lowers your BP by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries as calcium causes the heart and arteries to squeeze more strongly by blocking calcium allows blood vessels to relax and open