Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

Circulatory system components

Answer 1

• Pump (heart)
• Distribution system (arteries)
• Oxygenation system (lungs)
• Exchange system (capillaries)
• Collecting system (veins)

Question 2

Heart anatomy

Answer 2

The heart has 4 chambers with valves between them to maintain unidirectional blood flow

The coronary artery supplies the heart with blood, although flow can only occur during diastole

Has a high energy demand

Question 3

Cardiac conduction

Answer 3

The heart has intrinsic rhythm provided by the sinoatrial node (SAN)

The SAN releases an action potential with depolaries the both atria and then both ventricles, causing them to contract

The SAN is delayed at the AV node, causing a delay between atrial and ventricular contraction

Question 4

ECG

Answer 4

An ECG trace measures electrical conduction of the heart

P wave = atrial depolarisation
QRS complex = ventricular depolarisation
T wave = ventricular repolarisation

Question 5

Arrhythmia

Answer 5

Arrhythmia refers to conduction defects of the heart

They lead to non-uniform and inefficient contraction of the heart

Question 6

Compensatory mechanisms of the heart

Answer 6

• Frank-Starling mechanism
• Noradrenaline
• RAAS system
• Atrial natriuretic peptide

Question 7

Hypertension

Answer 7

Hypertension indicates high pressure within the arterial system

Diastole >89mmHg
Systole >139mmHg

Question 8

Symptoms of hypertension

Answer 8

• Persistent headache
• Blurred vision
• Nosebleeds
• Shortness of breath

Question 9

Essential hypertension

Answer 9

Idiopathic hypertension

A complex disorder with multiple causes

Question 10

Secondary hypertension

Answer 10

Occurs due to renal failure, endocrine dysfunction, vascular problems or neurological disorders

Question 11

Complications of hypertension

Answer 11

• Stroke
• Myocardial infarction
• Chronic renal failure
• Retinopathy

Question 12

Treatments for hypertension

Answer 12

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics

Question 13

Ventricular hypertrophy

Answer 13

Hypertension can also lead to ventricular hypertrophy

• Systemic hypertension causes left heart hypertrophy
• Pulmonary hypertension causes right heart hypertrophy

Can progress to heart failure or ischaemic heart disease

Question 14

Atherosclerosis

Answer 14

Atherosclerosis describes the thickening and hardening of arterial walls leads to a loss of elasticity

Characterised by plaques

Question 15

Atherosclerotic plaques

Answer 15

Consist of a raised lesion with a soft, yellow core of lipid

Covered with a white fibrous cap

Leukocytes accumulate around the lesion and the plaque will also have a necrotic core of foam cells

Question 16

Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Answer 16

1. Endothelial injury
2. Accumulation of lipoproteins (LDL)
3. Monocyte adhesion
4. Platelet adhesion
5. Factor release
6. Lipid accumulation

Question 17

Complications of atherosclerosis

Answer 17

• Rupture of the plaque, leading to thrombosis
• Haemorrhage into a plaque
• Atheroembolism
• Aneurysm formation

Question 18

Ischaemic heart disease

Answer 18

The leading cause of death worldwide

Usually a result of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary artery

May lead to angina pectoris, myocardial infarctions, heart failure and sudden cardiac death

Question 19

Angina pectoris

Answer 19

Chest pain characterised by transient myocardial ischaemia

Recognised by an ECG as ST depression

Question 20

Myocardial infarction

Answer 20

The death of cardiac muscle due to severe prolonged ischaemia of the coronary artery

Question 21

Symptoms of myocardial infarction

Answer 21

• Severe chest pain
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• ST elevation

Question 22

Heart failure

Answer 22

Occurs when the heart lacks the ability to pump properly