Disorders of the Blood Vessels, Heart and Lungs Flashcards
What is the trifecta (3 risk factors) of Cardiovascular Disease?
smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
What is Cardiovascular Disease related to?
the formation of plaque.
-collection of lipids inside arteries
Stable form of plaques
don’t cause major complications (unless it blocks an artery at this point)
Vulnerable Plaques
- unstable plaque
- thin covering, rupture, formation of thrombus, can lead to embolism
What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolism?
thrombus-blood clot
embolism - lodging of embolus in a narrowed artery
What is atherosclerosis?
literally translates to “hardening of the arteries”
usually a result of progressive thickening of arterial walls due to accumulation of fatty deposits
How does atherosclerosis happen? (steps)
- damage to the artery: inflammatory [most of the time, could be other stuff] response
- monocytes engulf LDL cholesterol: formation of FOAM CELLS and FATTY STREAKS
- formation of plaque: accumulation of fat along the inner walls of the arteries
- accumulation of calcium : crystallization of fat and cholesterol, artery stiffens
What are the main causes of atherosclerosis?
shear stress, high LDL, smoking, diabetes, abdominal obesity, low intakes of vitamins, aging
How does diabetes lead to atherosclerosis?
diabetes damages blood vessels which starts the inflammatory response
Explain why monocytes engulf LDL cholesterol (in the formation of atherosclerosis)?
monocytes tries to heal inflammation so it engulfs LDL to thicken the artery (it will retain in the arterial walls)
What determines if a plaque is stable or unstable?
the thickness of the covering
What is the recommended diet for atherosclerosis?
low fat, low Na, low alcohol
Why is LDL/VLDL called bad cholesterol?
Oxidized LDL is what is attributed to fat accumulation.
LDL is mainly fat.
Fat always gets oxidized.. you cant prevent this
Why is HDL called good cholesterol?
findings show that the consumption of HDL can help clear fatty accumulation from arteries…. HDL is able to penetrate the fatty streaks and clear it from the blood
will not completely clear up fat accumulation
What is Hypertension?
high blood pressure: 140/90 (consistently this high)
Primary or Essential Hypertension
- cause is unknown
- 90-95% of cases
- HTN without another disease
Secondary Hypertension
from disorder or illness (ex. kidney disease upsets fluid balance and can cause HTN)
What are the risk factors for HTN?
aging, genetic, obesity, alcohol, dietary intake (potassium, calcium and magnesium)
What does hypertension result in?
weakening of the heart muscle, heart failure, aneurysm, stroke, kidney failure
What is the recommended diet for Hypertension?
low Na, low Fat, low alcohol
Why is age a risk factor for HTN?
because older people have less flexible blood vessels. also prone to clotting
Who are more prone to HTN?
African americans
What is a Myocardial Infarction (MI)?
heart attack.
death of heart tissue usually caused by blockage in coronary vessels
What is the treatment for an MI?
immediate care: anticoagulants and pain medications
What is the diet for an MI patient?
NPO until shock resolves
low fat, low cholesterol, low Na, low caffeine (same diet for all heart problems)
What is a stroke?
death of brain tissue
What is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US after heart disease and cancer?
stroke
Ischemic Stroke
- 87% of strokes
- NO O2
- obstruction of blood flow to the brain from …
- plaque rupture, thrombosis, and embolism
Hemorrhagic Stroke
- 13% of strokes
- bleeding within the brain, more deadly
- rupture of blood vessel due to chronic hypertension
- more deadly: 38% of hemorrhagic stroke victims die within 30 days
What is the treatment for stroke?
the type of stroke determines the treatment
What are the risk factors for Stroke?
- Similar to those of heart disease
- hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes, elevated LDL cholesterol levels, family history of CVD
How do you prevent strokes?
recognizing risk factors and make lifestyle changes
What is CHF?
Congestive Heart Failure
-heart muscle gradually weakens, failure of the heart to pump adequate blood, congestion of fluids in tissues and in the veins
Right Sided CHF
- accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and liver
- chest pain
- swelling in the legs
- ankles and feet
Left Sided CHF
-accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), extreme shortness of breath, limited oxygen, acute respiratory failure
What is the recommended diet for CHF?
restricted Na and fluid, small frequent meals (for those with difficulty eating)
may require feeding tube depending on how severe
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- blockage or destruction of air passages
- two types: Emphysema and Bronchitis
Emphysema
destruction of alveoli
-shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
Bronchitis
inflamed airway and mucus production
What is the recommended diet for COPD?
extra calories and protein, small frequent meals (to make sure nutrients are absorbed effectively/efficiently
