Cardiovascular disorders

Question 1

angina

Answer 1

the most common symptom of CHD. occurs when arteries become so narrow that not enough oxygen containing blood can reach the heart. characterised by heaviness or tightness in the chest.

Question 2

angioplasty

Answer 2

technique to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel by inflating tightly folded balloons passed into the location by a catheter. this technique squashes fatty tissue and widens the artery.

Question 2

atherosclerosis

Answer 2

a disease characterised by the accumulation of fatty material in the artery walls leading to narrowing or blockage of artery. artery is hardened or “furring”.

Question 3

BO/BP

Answer 3

blood pressure

Question 4

CV

Answer 4

cardiovascular

Question 5

CVD

Answer 5

cardiovascular disease

Question 6

HDL (high density lipoprotein)

Answer 6

the fraction of cholesterol that is attached to proteins that remove cholesterol (via the liver) from the tissues. Low levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Question 7

LDL (low density lipoprotein)

Answer 7

the fraction of cholesterol which is attached to proteins that carry cholesterol to the tissues. A high LDL level is associated with the development of atherosclerosis

Question 8

heart attack or MI (myocardial infarction)

Answer 8

the term used when a blockage of one of the coronary arteries leads to death of part of the heart muscle.

Question 9

heart failure

Answer 9

a clinical syndrome which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the demands of the body. It occurs because the heart is damaged or overworked.

Question 10

stroke

Answer 10

the term used to describe the sudden and sustained loss of an aspect of brain function. It is most commonly caused by an interruption to the flow of blood to the brain, leading to localised brain cell death, or by a bleed into the brain as a consequence of a blood vessel rupturing.

Question 11

ischaemia

Answer 11

stopping of blood flow and subsequent lack of O2 delivery to tissue

Question 12

list modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis

Answer 12

smoking, diet, alcohol, obesity, physical inactivity, infection, stress

Question 13

list risk factors with a significant genetic component of atherosclerosis

Answer 13

elevated levels of LDL, low levels of HDL, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, male gender, family history

Question 14

explain the stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Answer 14

1. Endothelial cell damage allows LDLs to pass through into the intima as endo cells are more permeable. Macrophages move out of blood stream into intima and begin to oxidise LDLs with radicals. This attracts more wbcs. Macrophages in intima engulf oxidised LDLs but becomes a foam cell due to engulfing so many.
2. Fatty streaks from dead cells and foam cells.
3. Plaque forms and hardens over time. Smooth muscle cells layer over preventing the plaque from breaking away. Fibrous cap development.
4. Final stage is atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis (blood clots), where it can impede blood flow. Platelet aggregation and necrotic core development.

Question 15

what can cause endothelial cell injury?

Answer 15

circulating endotoxins (bacteria and viruses), hypoxia, products of cigarette smoke, hypertension.

Question 16

restenosis

Answer 16

the return of atherosclerotic plaque after angioplasty (can be prevented by the use of stents).

Question 17

what are the 4 principle components of atherosclerotic plaque?

Answer 17

fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin.

Question 18

what types of treatments are there for atherosclerosis?

Answer 18

surgical: coronary bypass (4 types: single, double, triple, quadruple), angioplasty, stents.
therapeutic: statins, anti-platelet drugs (aspirin, plavix),

Question 19

what is normal blood pressure?

Answer 19

90/60 - 140/90mmHg

Question 20

define hypertension.

Answer 20

A sustained elevation of arterial blood pressure

Question 21

what 2 classes is hypertension divided into?

Answer 21

Primary (or Essential)-a state in which no specific underlying cause can be identified. (90% of cases)
Secondary:associated with a specific underlying disease state, which results in arterial blood pressure being raised.

Question 22

what are some consequences for the heart when there’s hypertension?

Answer 22

• stress on heart and vessels
• heart undergoes hypertrophy (increase and growth of muscle cells)

Question 23

what are some consequences for the brain when there’s hypertension?

Answer 23

• prone to developing large intracerebral haemorrhages due to the rupture of intracerebral blood vessels

Question 24

what are some consequences for the kidney when there’s hypertension?

Answer 24

• chronic hypertension leads to nephrosclerosis; a common cause of chronic kidney disease
• there is eventual destruction of the glomeruli and consequent atrophy of the associated renal tubules
• the patient gradually develops slowly progressive chronic renal failure

Question 25

what are some consequences for the aorta/vessels when there’s hypertension?

Answer 25

• severe atheroma
• abdominal aortic aneurysms
• peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis, is evident by a delayed or absent peripheral pulses

Question 26

what are some consequences for the eyes when there’s hypertension?

Answer 26

• hypertension can cause retinal haemorrhage or exudate, potentially leading to blindness
• fine vessels of the retina are particularly fragile & lack the structural support of vessels