Cardiovascular Diseases Flashcards
What are the three cardiovascular diseases?
- atherosclerosis
- coronary heart disease (CHD)
- stroke
What are the factors that cause CVD and why?
- GENETICS = family history inc chance of CVD, e.g. FHC is a genetic condition where blood plasma cholesterol level is raised + can increase risk of cvd
- AGE = as you get older the risk of CVD increases
- GENDER = statistically men are at a higher risk of dying of CVD under 50, but women have higher or equal chance after menopause
- HIGH BP = increased risk of CVD, this hypertension can be caused by alcohol or high salt diet, this can lead to a risk of a heart attack or stroke
- SMOKING = inc risk as nicotine can affect heart rate and RBC levels, carbon monoxide can also impact haemoglobin in oxygen
- INACTIVITY = lack of physical activity will inc risk of CVD so exercise is important
- DIET = (lot of reasons, on another flashcard)
Why is diet a huge factor increasing risk of CVD?
Consuming high levels of saturated fat, high intake of salt, limited intake of vitamins increase risk of CVD. Other dietary factors to consider are:
- cholesterol levels = high diet in saturated fat cause c.l to inc, not all cholesterol is bad as its important for brain development + making steroid hormones
-HDL : LDL ratio = high density lipoproteins are ass with a reduced risk, low density lipoproteins ass with inc risk
- role of phagocytes (foam cells) = atherosclorosis causes phagocytes to build on sites of damage in arteries, they release growth factors causing walls to thicken
- dietary sugar = increases risk of CVD via body weight
- high BP = increased risk of CVD caused by alcohol or high salt diet
What are the treatments for CVD?
- antihypertensive drugs = lower bp
- statins
- transplantation immunosuppressants
What are antihypertensive drugs?
- treatment for CVD
- lowers bp
What are the three antihypertensive drugs?
- thiazede diuretics
- calcium channel blockers
- beta blockers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of thiazede diuretics (antihypertensive drug)?
ADVANTAGE
- lowers bp, option for those to unable to take calcium channel blockers
DISADVANTAGE
- not suitable during pregnancy as it can raise blood sugar levels
- regular blood + urine tests required
- can cause impotence
What are the advantages and disadvantages of calcium channel blockers (antihypertensive drug)?
ADVANTAGES
- lowers bp, effective in ppl aged 55 or over
DISADVANTAGES
- not suitable for history of heart disease, liver disease or circulation problems
- side effects of headaches, dizziness and skin rashes
- reduce strength of heartbeat
What are the advantages and disadvantages of beta blockers (antihypertensive drug)?
ADVANTAGES
- lowers bp, option for those who dont respond to other drugs
- safer to use during pregnancy compared to diuretics
DISADVANTAGES
- cause side effects such as tiredness, slow heartbeat, diarrohea and nausea
- can also cause disturbance in sleep, nightmares and impotence
What are statins?
- meds used to lower level of cholesterol in blood + protect insides of artery walls
- as high levels of cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits building up in arteries, inc risk of heart and circulatory disease which can lead to heart attack or a stroke
What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?
ADVANTAGES
- reduces inflammation
- reduce formation of fatty deposits in artery walls
- reduces risk of heart attacks/stroke
- cheap
- easy to take
- lowers blood cholesterol
DISADVANTAGES
- have to keep taking them
- side effects of nosebleeds, muscle ache, headache, diarrohea and inflammation of liver
- increased risk of diabetes
What are transplantation and immunosuppressants?
- major operation of a heart transplant that comes with many risks and complications
- could be final option to ensure survival of patient
What are the advantages and disadvantages of transplantation?
ADVANTAGES
- routine medical procedures allow patients to be monitored to prevent any future further complications/side effects, allows early diagnosis
DISADVANTAGES
- not much donor availability, not guaranteed as ppl can opt out
- shortage of suitable organs due to tissue type + match
- difficult to keep heart in condition suitable for transplant
- rejection of donor heart, immune system mistakes new heart as foreign and attacks it, can be immediately or years after
- donated heart may fail to pump properly as it may not start beating or stop soon after surgery
- arteries connected to heart are narrowed, potentially serious + could trigger heart attack
What are the advantages and disadvantages of immunosuppressant drugs?
ADVANTAGES
- prevents/reduce chances of rejection
DISADVANTAGES
- weaken immune system making patient more vulnerable to infections
- kidney problems
- high bp
- diabetes
- higher risk of cancer
- required long term
Do atheroscoloris stuff after
