Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
What is Atherosclerosis?
Accumulation of lipid containing material known as atheroma or plaque beneath the inner lining of the arteries.
What does atherosclerosis cause?
Narrowing of the diameter of the arteries restricting blood flow.
How does atherosclerosis increase blood pressure?
By the reduction of the diameter of the arteries resulting in loss of elasticity in the artery walls.
What are the contributing factors of atherosclerosis?
- High blood pressure
- Carbon monoxide in cigarettes
- Diabetes
- High blood cholesterol levels
What are the consequences of atherosclerosis?
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Peripheral vascular disease
What is a thrombus?
A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel or cavity of the heart.
What is thrombosis?
The formation or presence of a blood clot inside a blood vessel or cavity of the heart.
What is the process of the clotting of the blood?
1 - Platelets or damaged cells release a group of proteins called clotting factors. These clotting factors are released into the plasma at a wound site.
2- Clotting factors activate enzyme Thrombin from its inactive form to prothrombin.
3 - Thrombin turns the soluble plasma proteins fibrinogen into its insoluble fibrous form from fibrin.
4 - The fibrin threads from a meshwork that clots the blood by binding platelets and blood cells to form a “plug” to seal the wound and provide a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue.
What happens if the thrombus breaks loose from the site of formation (embolus)?
It travels along the blood stream until it reaches an artery too narrow to allow it to get through.
What is a stroke?
A stop to the blood flow of the brain.
What affect does a stroke have on the brain?
The cells in the affected area become damaged or die.
What is myocardial infraction (heart attack)?
Death of part of the heart muscle following a blockage in its supply of oxygen.
What is peripheral vascular disease?
Narrowing of the arteries other than those of the heart or brain.
What are the side effects of peripheral vascular disease?
Pain or cramp in the calf or less commonly in the thigh, buttock muscles or feet.
What is a deep vein thrombosis?
A blood clot that forms in a deep vein and can break of f and result in a pulmonary embolism.
