CV Pathology Flashcards
non-modifiable causes of cv diseases
increasing age, male gender (until female menopause), genetics, race, congenital conditions
modifiable causes of CV disease
diet, lack of exercise, obesity, type 2 diabetes, smoking, stress, excess alcohol and drug use, hypertension
what is an atheroma
plaque that builds up in the endothelium of arteries
causes of atheroma
atherosclerosis is main cause
effects of atheroma
can partially or completely block an artery, blockage may be complicated by clot formation
complications of atheroma
thrombosis and infarction, haemorrhage, aneurysm
what is atherosclerosis
a progressive, degenerative disease of the coronary arterial system
what happens in atherosclerosis
atheromas protrude into the lumen of the artery, therefore reducing blood flow
what is ischaemic heart disease
damage to the heart caused by poor blood flow to the heart, usually because of coronary artery disease
how does ischaemic heart disease present
main symptoms are chest pain (angina) and breathlessness, can also be the cause of MI and heart failure
what causes ischaemic heart disease?
atheromas narrowing or blocking one or more branches of the coronary arteries
effects of ischaemic heart disease on the body
narrowing of an artery causes angina pectoris, and complete blockage causes myocardial infarction
what is a myocardial infarction
heart attack
how does an MI present?
severe crushing chest pain behind the sternum, continues even when the person is at rest
what causes an MI?
when a branch of a coronary artery is blocked, usually by an atheroma, complicated by thrombosis. prolonged loss of blood supply causes permanent damage because cardiac muscle cannot regenerate and the dead muscle is replaced with non-functional fibrous tissue
effects of an MI on the body
arrhythmias, acute heart failure, rupture of ventricle wall, pulmonary or cerebral embolism, pericarditis, angina pectoris, recurrence, cardiac arrest
what is an aneurysm
an abnormal localised dilation of a blood vessel
what are the 3 types of aneurysms
fusiform, saccular, dissecting
fusiform aneurysm
wall of an artery expands until it bursts, usually associated with an atheroma
dissecting aneurysm
mainly occur in the arch of the aorta, caused when blood is forced between the endothelium and tunica media, beginning at a site of endothelial damage. particularly associated with hypertension, which weakens and tears arterial wall
saccular aneurysm
particular part of the artery wall fails, and it forms a berry shape. occur in the brain
complications/manifestations of aneurysm
thromboembolism, stroke, severe back/chest pain, angina, sudden extreme headache, pain, low BP, tachycardia and light headedness
abdominal aortic aneurysm
bulge in aorta in the abdomen
clinical signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm
pulsating mass, mid abdo or lumbar pain, may extend to renal, iliac, mesenteric or vertebral arteries and arterial insufficiency
what is aortic dissection
haemorrhage into vessel wall with longitudinal tearing, most common in ascending aorta
clinical signs of aortic dissection
pain in anterior chest and back, tearing or ripping sensation, blood pressure may be elevated, syncope and transient LOC, hemiplegia
what is congestive cardiac failure
right-sided heart failure, inability or failure of the heart to adequately meet the needs of organs and tissues for oxygen and nutrients. RS failure occurs when the right ventricle cannot adequately pump blood to the lungs
how does congestive cardiac failure present
fatigue, weakness, tachycardia, engorged liver or spleen, peripheral oedema, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, arrhythmias, hypotension
what causes congestive cardiac failure
failure of the right ventricle to generate enough force to pump blood through the lungs. when ventricles no longer empty adequately, the right atrium and vena cava become congested with blood and eventually congestion backs up through the venous system. may be caused by increased vascular resistance in the lungs or weakness of the myocardium
effects of congestive cardiac failure on the body
congestion of GI tract may compromise digestion. liver, spleen and kidneys affected first, oedema of the limbs and ascites usually follow
what is left ventricular failure
failure of the left ventricle to adequately pump blood around the body
how does left ventricular failure present
cyanosis, severe respiratory distress, coughing up white, frothy sputum, JVD, chest pain, tachycardia, chronic coughing, fatigue, lack of appetite and nausea, sudden weight gain
what causes left ventricular failure
ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, disease of the mitral or aortic valves. all of these impair the left ventricle which means it cannot pump blood around the body
effects of left ventricular failure on the body
as blood isn’t being pumped efficiently, blood engorges causing a rise in pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary veins, pulmonary veins become engorged forcing plasma serum out of the capillaries, oxygenation becomes impaired
what is angina
chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart
how does angina present?
chest pain, radiating into the arms neck and jaw, triggered by exercise
what causes angina
age, hypertension, high cholesterol, cold weather, emotional states
effects of angina on the body
increased cardiac output required during exercise causes myocardial ischaemia. narrowed coronary artery cannot supply enough blood when undertaking exercise. artery wall is unable to dilate as it is atheromatous so cannot accommodate increased blood flow
