Lecture 15 - When the Cardiovascular System Goes Wrong

Question 1

Define Hypertension

Answer 1

Abnormally high blood pressure

Question 2

Name 5 conditions for which hypertension is a major risk factor

Answer 2

Stroke, Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Aneurysms, Chronic Kidney Disease

Question 3

Name the three main types of treatments for hypertension

Answer 3

Thiazide Diuretic, Ca2+ Channel Blocker, RAAS Inhibition

Question 4

How do Thiazide Diuretics help to treat hypertension?

Answer 4

Inhibit Na+ renal reabsorption, increasing water loss in the urine (lower Venous Return so lower CO)

Question 5

How do Ca2+ channel blockers treat hypertension

Answer 5

Inhibit Ca2+ entry into cardiac and vascular muscle cells (lower Contractility so lower CO; and inhibits vasoconstriction)

Question 6

Name the three types of RAAS Inhibitors (and which one is only used in resistant hypertension?)

Answer 6

ACEi (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor); ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker) and Aldosterone Antagonist

Question 7

Define Atherosclerosis

Answer 7

Thickening and Toughening of Arterial Walls (-> plaque formation)

Question 8

What are the triggering factors for Atherosclerosis?

Answer 8

Endothelial Damage (e.g., from BP, smoking, Diabetes)
High LDL in Blood

Question 9

What are the consequences of Atherosclerosis?

Answer 9

Narrow vessels restrict blood flow and increase the likelihood of Thromboembolism; increased risk of stroke, coronary heart disease

Question 10

What is the main treatment for Atherosclerosis?

Answer 10

Statins (inhibit cholesterol synthesis, reduced LDL)

Question 11

Define Thrombosis

Answer 11

Blood Clots in the circulation, blocking normal flow

Question 12

Name the two main treatments of thrombosis (and one example of each)

Answer 12

Anticoagulents (e.g., warfarin) and Anti-Platelet Therapy (e.g., aspirin)

Question 13

Describe how a myocardial infarction can occur

Answer 13

Atherosclerosis -> atherothrombosis (vessel occlusion blocks myocardial blood flow) -> muscle distal to blockage starts to die

Question 14

Name the two main treatments for Myocardial Infarctions

Answer 14

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (stent); Thrombolytics

Question 15

What may be sprayed as a treatment for Angina?

Answer 15

GTN spray (nitric oxide -> vasodilation)

Question 16

Name and define the two main types of Valvular Disease

Answer 16

Stenosis - thick/stiff valves fail to open properly (increased afterload, reduced ejection)
Regurgiation - valves fail to close properly (backflow of blood reduces SV and CO)

Question 17

Define Heart Failure

Answer 17

When Cardiac Output is inadequate to meet the demands of the body

Question 18

What are the two main causes of Heart Failure?

Answer 18

Diseases increasing workload (e.g., hypertension, aortic stenosis) and Damage to Myocardium (e.g., myocardial infarction)

Question 19

Three “regions/types” (?) of heart failure?

Answer 19

Right-sided -> peripheral odoema
Left-sided -> pulmonary odoema
Both sides -> congestive heart failure

Question 20

4 main treatments for heart failure?

Answer 20

ß-Blockers (reduce SNS activity to reduce workload, prevent desensitisation)
Anti-Hypertensives (ACEi, ARB, diruetics - reduce fluid, reduce workload)
Left Ventricular Assist Device (mechanical heart pump)
Heart Transplant

Question 21

Define Arrhythmia

Answer 21

A deviation from the heart’s normal sinus rhythm

Question 22

Main causes of Bradychardia

Answer 22

Slow signals from SAN (damage to SAN, AVN or conductive tissue)

Question 23

Treatment for Bradychardia?

Answer 23

Pacemaker

Question 24

Causes of Sinus Tachycardia

Answer 24

Drugs, Hormones

Question 25

Define Non-Sinus Tachycardia

Answer 25

Additional abnormal impulses in ECG

Question 26

Name four types of Arrhythmias (and which one is treated with Defibrilation?)

Answer 26

Atrial Fibrilation; Long QT Syndrome; Ventricular Tachycardia; Ventricular Fibrilation (DEFIRBILATOR)