CVD risk factors Flashcards
why does a narrower artery lumen increase blood pressure
-more friction
-impedes blood flow
-more force required to push blood
-blood pressure increases
what is edema
imbalance of fluid regulation, too much tissue fluid, more entering interstitum than leaving
how does smoking increase risk of CVD
-reduces HDLs
-carbon monoxide increases cholestorol deposition in atheroma formation
-increases heart rate and causes vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure, this increases risk of damage to artery endothelial lining which increases risk of atherosclerosis
-free radicals can damage endothelial lining
-nicotine increases stickiness of platelets so increases risk of blood clots
explain why age is a risk factor for CVD
Over time elasticity of arteries decreases CAUSING an increase in blood pressure and making them more susceptible to damage.
explain why sex can be a risk factor
-females have a higher HDL levels which reduces LDLs and risk of atheroma (due to higher oestrogen levels)
-oestrogen also increases blood flow to the muscles so increased BF also to heart
explain how stress can be a risk factor
Stress increases adrenaline which constricts arteries and increases BP
explain how obesity can be a risk factor
-increased risk of diabetes, increased blood glucose levels increases BP
-Obesity increases BP (overactive nervous system, fatty build up in arterie, fat putting pressure on kidneys increases pressure in renal arteries)
-increases LDL cholestorol, higher risk of fatty deposit forming and forming an atheroma-increased risk of atherosclerosis
chain of analysis-with atherosclerosis the blood supply to coronary arteries is blocked, so reduced oxygen delivered to heart muscle tissue, can lead to damage or death of heart muscle cells which makes heart unable to beat properly= heart attack
explain why lack of exercise can be a risk factor
-weakens heart and artery muscle tissue
-lower levels of exercise makes heart inefficient and reduces cardiac output so heart rate has to increase to meet oxygen demands and artery walls will become less elastic
-can contribute to obesity which increases BP
-exercise increases HDL levels
-exercise increases coronary circulation, decreases risk of CVD
explain how alcohol can be a risk factor
-constricts arteries- increases BP
-increases risk of becoming obese, calorie dense
-reduces BF to muscles so decreased BF to heart muscles
explain how genetics can be a risk factor
-some alleles increase risk of CVD by causing things such as valve weakness, high BP or high LDL cholestorol levels
-can be good if allele increases HDL levels, helps lower blood cholestorol
how can excess LDLs be bad
-can block cell surface membrane receptors which causes a rise in blood cholestorol
-cholestorol contributes to formation of plaques in arteries
how do HDLs remove excess LDLs
acquires ldl and transports them to the liver to be broken down
