Causes and development of CVD (1.5-1.7, 1.15, 1.18)

Question 1

Anticoagulants

Answer 1

A class of drug used to stop blood from forming clots and used as a treatment for CVD.

Question 2

Antihypertensives

Answer 2

A class of drug that is used as a treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension).

Question 3

Atherosclerosis

Answer 3

​A disease caused by a buildup of fatty deposits within arteries which narrows them and can restrict blood flow.

Question 4

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Answer 4

A term used to describe a group of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.

Question 5

Coagulation

Answer 5

The process of blood turning into a gel and forming a clot, often in response to a broken blood vessel to prevent blood loss.

Question 6

Risk factor

Answer 6

A factor that increases the likelihood of a person developing a disease.

Question 7

Statins

Answer 7

A class of drug that is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Question 8

Stages leading to atherosclerosis

Answer 8

• Endothelium becomes damaged
• Inflammatory response occurs where white blood cells accumulate
• An atheroma forms with a build up of fatty desposit, including cholesterol
• Calcium salts and fibrous tissue build up, forming plaque
• Plaque causes the lumen to become narrower, reducing blood flow, causing blood pressure to increase

Question 9

Stages leading to a blood clot

Answer 9

• Thromboplastin is released from a damaged blood vessel
• Triggers the conversion of prothrombin (soluble protein) to thrombin (enzyme)
• Thrombin catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen (soluble protein) to fibrin (insoluble fibres)
• The fibrin fibres tangle together and form a mesh in which platelets and red blood cells get trapped, forming a blood clot

Question 10

Thromboplastin

Answer 10

A protein released from a damaged blood vessel

Question 11

Prothrombin

Answer 11

A protein which is converted into thrombin with the help of calcium ions and thromboplastin

Question 12

Thrombin

Answer 12

An enzyme formed from the conversion of thromboplastin

It catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

Question 13

Fibrinogen

Answer 13

A soluble protein which is converted into fibrin by the enzyme thrombin

Question 14

Fibrin

Answer 14

Solid insoluble fibres formed from fibrinogen by thrombin

They tangle together to form a mess in which platelets and red blood cells get trapped, forming a blood clot

Question 15

How blood clots lead to heart attacks

Answer 15

• Coronary artery becomes blocked by blood clot
• Area of heart muscle cut off from blood supply (ischaemic) and wont receive any oxygen
• Myocardial infarction occurs (heart attack)
• Causes damage and death of heart muscle

Question 16

How do arteries clot

Answer 16

If the endothelium is damaged as a result of atherosclerosis then platelets come into contact with the damaged surface and any collagen
A clotting cascade is triggered within the vessel

Question 17

Ischaemic

Answer 17

When blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off as a result of a blood clot

Question 18

Myocardial infarction

Answer 18

Heart attack when heart muscle cells don’t have enough oxygen

Question 19

Stroke

Answer 19

A rapid loss of brain function when blood supply to the brain is cut off
Usually as a result of one of the arteries linked to the brain being blocked by a blood clot

Question 20

Deep vein thrombosis

Answer 20

Formation of a blood clot in a vein inside the body

Can be caused by prolonged inactivity

Question 21

How does diet impact the risk of CVD

Answer 21

Diet high in saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels which increases atheroma formations, leading to heart attack
High salt content leads to high blood pressure

Question 22

How does high blood pressure increase the risk of CVD

Answer 22

Increases risk of damage to artery walls, which increases risk of atheroma formation
Alcohol consumption, stress and diet all increase blood pressure

Question 23

How does smoking increase risk of CVD

Answer 23

Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin, reducing the amount of oxygen transported in the blood
Reduces the amount of oxygen available to the tissues
Nicotine makes platelets sticky, increasing chance of blood clots
Smoking decreases amount of antioxidants in the blood, so increased damage to artery walls and more atheroma formations

Question 24

How do genetics affect risk of CVD

Answer 24

Inherit particular alleles that make them more likely to have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol

Question 25

How does age increase risk of CVD

Answer 25

Plaque builds up slowly overtime

Question 26

How does gender increase risk of CVD

Answer 26

Men are more likely to suffer with CVD

Low levels of oestrogen means that there are less HDLs which leads to high er levels of total blood cholesterol

Question 27

High density lipoproteins (HDLs)

Answer 27

High amount of protein and less cholesterol

Lowers cholesterol levels by transporting cholesterol from the body tissues to the liver where it is broken down

Question 28

Low density lipoproteins (LDLs)

Answer 28

Overload membrane receptors resulting in high blood cholesterol levels
LDL cholesterol are deposited in artery walls, forming atheromas

Question 29

Lipoproteins

Answer 29

Triglycerides combined with cholesterol and protein

Categorised into High and low density lipoproteins