cardiovascular malfunctions Flashcards
What are the symptoms of atheroma?
angina breathlessness heart attack stroke transient ischemic attack (TIA- mini stroke) peripheral vascular disorder pain in calf weakness fatigue sweating jaw/abdominal/arm pain vascular dementia
What is it’s biological explanation?
degeneration of the walls of the arteries caused by accumulated fatty deposits and scar tissue, and leading to restriction of the circulation and a risk of thrombosis
Fatty deposits = atherosclerotic plaque
What are the causes of atheroma?
not known but suspected to be after repeated injury tot the endothelium which causes inflammation, white blood cells are then sent by the body to the affected area and these cells morph into what is known as foam cells. These attract fat and cholesterol and encourage the growth of atheroma’s
What can cause injury to the artery walls?
hypertension diabetes obesity high cholesterol smoking inflammatory diseases - lupus arthritis age sex- men and postmenopausal women
What are the diagnosis and monitoring procedures for atheroma?
Doppler ultrasound shows how blood is flowing and whether there are blockages
an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
CT scan can show narrowing of arteries
Angiography gives a picture of veins by using dyes and x-rays to help diagnose peripheral artery disease
What are the lifestyle factors that should be taken for atheroma?
quit smoking
change of diet (lower fat)
supplements - Vitamin B to increase HDL
What medication methods are there for atheroma?
statins to reduce cholesterol
Glucose- control medications to treat diabeties
antihypertensive- ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure
What surgical procedures are there for atheroma?
angioplasty- involves trying to widen a narrowed artery with a balloon threaded onto a catheter
stents
artery bypass grafting- healthy vein is grafted into an artery above or below the blockage to redirect the flow of blood
carotid endarterectomy removes plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain
Think about PIES
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What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?
angina
heart disease
heart failure
unusual breathlessness
sweating
often triggered by stressful situation such as physical activity, if arteries are partially blocked, this may cause chest pain
if they are completely blocked, this can cause myocardial infarction (heart attack)
can cause heart failure is heart is too weak to pump blood around body
What is the biological explanation for coronary heart disease?
a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside of the coronary arteries
these arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle, when plaque builds up, it is known as atherosclerosis
What are the causes of coronary heart disease?
smoking high blood pressure (hypertension) high blood sugar levels high levels of LDL's obesity diabetes
What are the monitoring procedures for coronary heart disease?
ECG scan
blood pressure testing
ultrasound
What are the lifestyle factors that should be taken for coronary heart disease?
exercise and fitness
healthy eating
stopping smoking
What medication methods are available for coronary heart disease?
Antiplatelet- thin blood therefore reducing clotting and risk of heart attacks
statins- lower hypertension (block formation of cholesterol) removes LDL from blood
beta blockers- block the effects of a particular hormone in the body, which slows down heartbeat and improves blood flow
nitrates- widen blood vessels- vasodilators. tablets, patches and sprays. lowers hypertension and pain
ACE inhibitors- treats hypertension and blocks activity of angiotensin II
angiotensin II receptor antagonists- same as above- works in similar way
calcium channel blockers- treats hypertension and relaxes muscle walls that make up arteries
