Causes and development of CVD (1.5-1.7, 1.15, 1.18) Flashcards
(29 cards)
Anticoagulants
A class of drug used to stop blood from forming clots and used as a treatment for CVD.
Antihypertensives
A class of drug that is used as a treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension).
Atherosclerosis
A disease caused by a buildup of fatty deposits within arteries which narrows them and can restrict blood flow.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
A term used to describe a group of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.
Coagulation
The process of blood turning into a gel and forming a clot, often in response to a broken blood vessel to prevent blood loss.
Risk factor
A factor that increases the likelihood of a person developing a disease.
Statins
A class of drug that is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
Stages leading to atherosclerosis
- 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
Stages leading to a blood clot
- 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
Thromboplastin
A protein released from a damaged blood vessel
Prothrombin
A protein which is converted into thrombin with the help of calcium ions and thromboplastin
Thrombin
An enzyme formed from the conversion of thromboplastin
It catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
Fibrinogen
A soluble protein which is converted into fibrin by the enzyme thrombin
Fibrin
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
How blood clots lead to heart attacks
- 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
How do arteries clot
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
Ischaemic
When blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off as a result of a blood clot
Myocardial infarction
Heart attack when heart muscle cells don’t have enough oxygen
Stroke
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
Deep vein thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot in a vein inside the body
Can be caused by prolonged inactivity
How does diet impact the risk of CVD
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
How does high blood pressure increase the risk of CVD
Increases risk of damage to artery walls, which increases risk of atheroma formation
Alcohol consumption, stress and diet all increase blood pressure
How does smoking increase risk of CVD
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
How do genetics affect risk of CVD
Inherit particular alleles that make them more likely to have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol
