Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

What is cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

Involves atheroma formation, thrombosis and aneurysms.

Question 2

How does an atheroma contribute to CVD?

Answer 2

• An atheroma is a build up of fat and cholesterol in the wall of arteries
• it is caused by a high saturated fat/ cholesterol diet
• the accumulation of fat in the artery wall causes a hardened plaque to form which grows and blocks the lumen

Question 3

How does thrombosis contribute to CVD?

Answer 3

• thrombosis is the formation of blood clots which can be caused by the bursting of atheromas or smoking
• blood clots may block blood vessels

Question 4

How does an aneurysm contribute to CVD?

Answer 4

• an aneurysm is balloon like swelling in arteries which may burst, lading to a haemorrhage
• atheromas may weaken the artery causing swelling to form
• these cause increased blood loss and reduced blood flow to cells

Question 5

What happens as a result of a blockage in the coronary arteries?

Answer 5

• reduced blood flow to the heart muscle/ cells
• reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle
• heart cells will respire less, so release less energy (ATP)
• cells die which results in a heart attack

Question 6

What are risk factors for CVD?

Answer 6

1. High fat/ cholesterol diet
2. High blood cholesterol
3. High salt consumption
4. Lack of antioxidants
5. Smoking
6. Lack of exercise
7. Obesity
8. High blood pressure
9. Age
10. Sex
11. Ethnicity

Question 7

How can we deduce our risk to CVD?

Answer 7

1. Quit/ reduce smoking
2. Exercise regularly
3. Lower salt/ fat consumption
4. Eat more antioxidants