Lecture 1 - Introduction

Question 1

what are pathophysiological and risk factors that increase CVD disease?

Answer 1

obesity
smoking
poor diet
physical inactivity
high blood pressure
blood cholesterol
diabetes
alcohol consumption

Question 2

what is atheroscelerosis?

Answer 2

atheroscelerosis is a serious condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances known as plaque or atheroma

Question 3

describe atherosclerosis - what drives it? what can atherosclerosis lead to?

Answer 3

driven by hypertension and hyperlipidaemia

complicated by diabetes and pro-inflammatory status

occlusion - ischamic (pro-arrhythmias), acute coronary syndrome, stock and angina

hypertension causes increased myocardial workload which drives LV hypertrophy (heart failure)

Question 4

what drugs are used in the treatment of prophylaxis of stroke in atrial fibrillation?

Answer 4

warfarin (most commonly used)

dabagatran
apixaban
rivaroxaban
endoxaban

Question 5

what drugs are used in patients with heart failure?

Answer 5

ACE inhibitors (most common)

now as well:
entresto (sacubitril/ valsartan)

Question 6

what is the treatment of CVD?

Answer 6

lifestyle modifications
- diet, exercise, smoking cessation

primary prevention
- reduce lipids that contribute to pathogenesis
- reduce platelet contribution to pathogenesis

management
- reduce blood pressure
–> reduces atherosclerosis, end organ damage and cardiac workload

• reduce cardiac workload
• reduce oxygen demand, reduce ischaemic arrhythmias and reduce heart failure pathology

management of blood volume and electrolytes
- reduce blood pressure
- reduce cardiac workload