Cardiovascular Disease 3B Flashcards
How do atheroma form
If damage occurs to the endothelium, fatty deposits clump together in the area forming fatty streaks under the lining
Over time more lipids, white blood cells and connective tissue build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque
What is an atheroma
A fibrous plaque
How do atheromas affect the arteries
They cause blockages and restrict blood flow or break off and cause blockages elsewhere
What causes an aneurysm
Atheroma plaques damage and weaken arteries they also narrow them increasing blood pressure
When blood travels through a weakened artery at higher pressure it may push the inner layers of the artery through the outer elastic layer causing an aneurysm
What causes thrombosis
Atheroma plaques rupture the endothelium this damages the artery wall
Platelets and fibrin accumulate at the site and form a blood clot
Blood clot can block the artery or become dislodged and form a blockage elsewhere
Debris can cause another blockage further down
Myocardial infarction
Coronary artery becomes blocked
No blood supply to heart
Less oxygen and glucose
Heart cells respire anaerobically
High blood cholesterol and poor diet risk factor
blood cholesterol helps to make fatty deposits that form atheromas
Atheromas can block blood flow to coronary arteries
Diet high in saturated fat - high blood cholesterol
Diet high in salt - high blood pressurev
Smoking
Nicotine increases risk of high blood pressure
Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin reducing the amount of oxygen transported in blood and available to tissues restricted oxygen to heart can cause heart attack
Decreases amount of antioxidants in blood fewer antioxidants, more cell damage which leads to atheroma formation
High blood pressure
increases risk of damage to artery walls
Increased risk of atheroma formation
which can cause blood clots which block arteries
