Cardiovascular Disease And Diabetes Flashcards
Cardiovascular system
Transports O2 and nutrient-rich blood to the body’s cells and also removes wastes (e.g. CO2)
* At the cells, O2 and fuel (e.g. glucose, fatty acids) are used to generate ATP (energy)
Chemical formula for glucose
C6 H12 O6
What happens if the body does not make ATP?
Cells will die.
- death of cells can lead to death of organs (e.g. heart), which can lead to shutdown of the human organism
- The coronary arteries provide blood to the heart muscle
- A blockage in the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack
Path of blood flow through the heart
- Oxygen poor blood enters through the superior or inferior vena cava and into the right atrium
- Then to the right ventricle
- From there it is pumped through the pulmonary arteries into the lungs
- After blood picks up oxygen in the lungs and carbon dioxide is discarded, it goes through the left atrium from pulmonary veins
- From there, it goes to the left ventricle
- then pumped through the aorta into the rest of the body’s blood vessels
Superior vena cava
Brings in deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body
Inferior vena cava
Brings in deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body
Arteries vs. Veins
Arteries: carry blood away from heart
Veins: carry blood to the heart
Capillary
A small blood vessel that exchanges oxygen and nutrients between the blood and the tissues.
Right side vs. Left side of the heart
Right side: pumps blood into the pulmonary circulation
Left side: pumps blood into systemic circulation (rest of the body)
Atherosclerosis
A form of cardiovascular disease in which the inner layers of artery walls are made thick and irregular by plaque deposit; arteries become narrow and blood supply can be reduced
- can be caused by nicotine, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.
Fats (e.g. trans fats) deposit in lesion
* macrophages (immune cells) try to help, instead they fill with cholesterol and explode = worse
* smooth muscle covers it up
* leads to a narrowed artery
Soft tissue gradually becomes replaced with calcium, mineral deposits.
* walls become stiffer causing arteriosclerosis
arteriosclerosis is irreversible
Lesion
Any abnormal tissue or damage in an organism’s body caused by disease or trauma
When does a myocardial infraction (heart attack) occur?
When an artery is clogged, blocking nutrient and oxygen delivery to cells, leading to cell death
Coronary artery
Supplies blood and oxygen to heart muscle
Heart Attack Symptoms
- Chest discomfort
- sweating
- discomfort in areas of upper body
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- light-headedness
Experiencing most of these symptoms is a heart attack indicator
Stroke
Occurs when there is a blockage in blood flow to a region of brain tissue
Two types:
Ischemic: blockage disrupts blood flow to brain (~80%)
* can be thrombic or embolic
Hemorrhagic: blood vessel bursts (~20%)
Both lead to reduced blood flow, lack of oxygen delivery, tissue death (called thrombovascular accidents)