Cardiovascular diseases

Question 1

What is thrombosis and the risk factors?

Answer 1

A blood clot (thrombus) in a vessel which slows down blood flow.
Risks include;
- slow blood flow
- damage to blood vessel
- increases blood coagulation

Question 2

What is embolism and its materials?

Answer 2

An embolus that blocks the flow of blood in a blood vessel.
Materials include;
- fragment of thrombus
- fragment of tumour
- fragment of atheromatus plaque
- fat from bone fracture
- air bubble (from punctured vessel)

Question 3

What is pulmonary embolism?

Answer 3

When an emboli in the vein (venous embolism) travels to heart and lung via pulmonary artery and lodges in there causing pulmonary embolism.

Question 4

Results of pulmonary embolisms.

Answer 4

• blockage reduces the blood flow to the lungs
• sudden collapse
• death

Question 5

Why does infractions occur?

Answer 5

(Tissue death) happens because of interrupted blood supply.

Question 6

Why does is ischemia?

Answer 6

(Impaired tissue function) happens because of hypoxia and the build up of cellular waste.

Question 7

What is atheroma?

Answer 7

Atheromatous plaque are changes that occur to the lining of the arteries.
Changes include;
- fatty streak
- build of of cholesterol and lipids
- excess smooth
- fat filled cells

Plaque breaks open causing thrombosis and rasopasm.
Commonly affected arteries;
- heart
- brain
- kidneys
- small intestine
- lower limbs

Question 8

What is arteriosclerosis and its results?

Answer 8

The progressive degeneracy of the artery walls. Walls become infiltrated with fibrous tissue and calcium, causing artery to become dilated and less elastic.

This causes;
- loss of elasticity increases systole blood pressure and pulse pressure
- lumen becomes narrow causing blood pressure to increase. Leading to ischemia of tissues supplied by vessels.
- if arteries in the brain are affected then cerebral ischemia can result in the degeneration of higher order functions.

Question 9

What are the two types of venous thrombosis?

Answer 9

Superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 10

What is superficial thrombosis and its causes?

Answer 10

When thrombosis forms in a superficial vein. The tissue around the vein becomes inflamed, red, and painful.

Causes;
- intravenous infusion
- varicosities in large vein, in leg (saphenous vein)

Question 11

What is DVT?

Answer 11

mainly affects the veins in lower limbs.
Risk of death if large clots travels to the lungs resulting in pulmonary embolism.