HTN Flashcards
(41 cards)
What happens to vessels over time and how does the body compensate?
Lose elasticity and become narrow
Body creates collateral vessels
What is affected by atherosclerosis of the aorta?
LV afterload
Which vessels and what parts of the vessels does atherosclerosis affect?
Intima of large and medium arteries
Which vessels does arteriosclerosis affect?
Small arteries
What are the results of atherosclerosis?
Narrowing of lumen Obstruction Aneurysm Ulceration Rupture
What can obstruction of the vessel lead to?
Ischemia (lack of blood flow) -> hypoxic tissue -> infarction (death)
What is the biggest cause of an aneurysm (weakening of the vessel wall)?
Turbulent blood flow
How does an ulceration form in an artery?
Ulceration gets scarred over (granulation tissue) - tough material
What is the reaction to injury theory?
Injury increases aggregation of platelets & monocytes
Smooth muscle forms a matrix of collagen & elastic fibers - causes tightening of vessels
What is an arteriogram/angiogram?
Sending a camera through femoral or radial artery to view the vessels
What circumstances will you see because of diseased and sclerosed arteries?
Will find low blood flow in the legs, decreased hair growth, discolored extremities, intermittent claudication, ulcers, weak pedal pulses
What are the two atherosclerotic lesions?
Fatty streaks
Fibrous plaques
What are characteristics of fatty streaks?
Yellow and smooth
Protrude into lumen
Composed of lipids & elongated smooth muscle cells
How can fatty streaks be decreased?
Diet, exercise, medication
What are characteristics of fibrous plaques?
White to whitish-yellow in color
Protrude into lumen
Composed of smooth muscle cells, collagen fibers, plasma components, and lipids
Found mostly in abdominal aorta, coronary, popliteal, and internal carotid arteries
IRREVERSIBLE
How can fibrous plaques be decreased?
Stent
Carotid endarterectomy
Why is age a risk factor for vascular disease?
Vessels lose elasticity
Why is sex a risk factor for vascular disease?
Estrogen is cardioprotective
Men are at a higher risk until women hit menopause
Why is a diet high in fat a risk factor for vascular disease?
Fat solidifies and causes fibrous plaques within the body
Why is HTN a risk factor for vascular disease?
Due to turbulent blood flow damaging the vessels
Why is diabetes a risk factor for vascular disease?
Sugar sticking to the walls in the blood vessels
Problem with the microcirculation in the eyes, distal peripheries, and kidneys
Why is smoking a risk factor for vascular disease?
Directly affects intima of vessels and changes it
Nicotinic acid changes vasculature
Why is obesity a risk factor for vascular disease?
Tend to have worse lifestyle (eating/exercising) practices
Why is stress a risk factor for vascular disease?
Increases turbulent blood flow