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)
Signs of stroke
F - Face (drooping?)
A - Arms (raise both?)
S - Speech (slurred or jumbled?)
T - Time to call 9-1-1
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- being male
- age (older = higher chance)
- high blood pressure
high cholesterol (blood cholesterol, not dietary cholesterol) - diabetes
cigarettes (doubles risk of CVD; smokers die ~7 years earlier on average) - ethnicity (white males = higher chance)
Bronchitis
Chronic inflammation of the airways
* increased airway resistance; making it more difficult to get air to lungs
Emphysema
A loss of the elastic recoil of the lungs which makes it more difficult for individuals with condition to breathe
Hypertension
Both a type of CVD and a risk factor for CVD
- Hypertension causes more strain on heart and blood vessels
- extra strain can cause lesions in vessels, promoting atherosclerosis
Consequences of high blood pressure
- eye damage
- stroke
- heart attack
- damage to artery walls
- kidney failure
Diabetes
Not a type of CVD but a risk factor for CVD
Two types:
Type 1 (insulin-dependent):
* hereditary; body cannot make enough insulin
Type 2 (non-insulin dependent):
* caused by lifestyle choices; body doesn’t respond to insulin
Insulin is required for the body’s cells to take up glucose
- Adults with untreated diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to suffer from heart disease or stroke
- more likely to suffer CVD or stroke at a younger age
Dangers & treatment of diabetes
Dangers:
CVD, stroke, kidney failure, compromised circulation to extremities (may require amputation), impotence, blindness, skin sores
Treatment:
no cure, blood sugar levels must be kept stable
Type 1: insulin injections
Type 2: lifestyle modifications
* Ex. Diabetes prevention program (50%+ reduction in risk)
Risk factors for diabetes
- Obesity
- Ethnicity
- Physical inactivity
- Family history
- Previous case of gestational diabetes (occurs during pregnancy)
Obesity
When an individual is 20% over ideal weight
* strongly associated with hypertension, lower HDL, and type 2 diabetes
Framingham study: Risk factors
Uncontrollable risk factors:
- age (older = more risk)
- sex (male at higher risk)
- Hereditary
- Ethnicity
Controllable risk factors:
- Lifestyle choices
Ex. Diet and excercise, no smoking/drinking - stress
- sodium intake
- hypertension
- cholesterol
- diabetes
Treatments for CVD
Angioplasty: Enlarging an artery by using a balloon-type instrument to push open the vessel and inserting a stent to hold it open
Coronary artery bypass: if angioplasty fails, surgically replacing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries with healthy segments of vessels from elsewhere in the body (often part of a vein from the patient’s leg)
