Lecture 3 Flashcards
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the changing of the expression of DNA without changing the DNA code due to environmental influences.
What evidence is there for blood pressure being predominantly genetic?
Highest correlation in blood pressure between monozygotic twins and least between parent offsprings in a blood family.
What accounts of the variation in blood pressure between:
populations
Individuals
Within individuals
Between population = environment
Between individuals = genes
Within individuals = environment
How are populations typically studied?
Observational analyses
Interventional studies
What are the environmental factors when considering blood pressure?
DIet
Lifestyle
How does higher salt levels result in a higher blood pressure?
Higher salt results in more extracellular fluid which results in higher venous pressure and higher venous return and higher stroke volume and higher left ventricular filling and as a result a higher BP.
What is the average daily sodium intake?
150 mmol
Why do elderly have higher blood pressure than young adults?
Elderly have less efficient kidneys and after the age of 40 people lose GFR gradually.
What is the effect of diuretics of blood pressure in elderly?
Diuretics lower blood pressure in the elderly.
How does alcohol intake affect blood pressure?
Higher blood pressure is found in people with lower alcohol intake.
What is the effect of potassium on blood pressure?
Potassium has the opposite effect on blood pressure when compared to sodium.
What matters the most is the Na/K ratio.
This is found mostly in fruits and veggies.
What is interesting about the blood pressure of vegetarians?
Vegetarians have lower BPs.
What is the effect of omega-3 on blood pressure?
Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to decrease blood pressure.
What effect does physical fitness have on blood pressure?
Fitter people have lower blood pressure.
What is the effect of psychosocial stress on blood pressure?
No reliable conclusions can be made about the effect of stress on blood pressure.
