Lecture 8 Physiology of the Vasculature II Flashcards
How does atherosclerosis impact the ability of the endothelium to regulate vascular smooth muscle
As atheroma’s develop the endothelial cells become separated and further away from the VSMCs. This means that the artery wall less able to regulate itself hence often leading to hypertension. In addition VSMCs are triggered to proliferate in response to immune cell invasion. This causes them to lose adhesion to each other and no longer contract as effectively
What can happen specifically to the endothelium as a result of a loss of the glycocalyx as a result of oxLDL
They can become hyper-responsive and more likely to release contractile mediators
What happens as a result of calcification of the blood vessels in disease
The build-up of calcified deposits results in a stiffening of the artery. This makes it less able to contract and relax in a coordinated way
Loss of which extracellular matrix protein in the vessel wall can also play a role in disease
Elastin
Hypoxia uncouples eNOS T or F
T
What is the evidence for the incidence of hypertension
Around 30% of people are affected in England
What risk is massively increased in patients left untreated for hypertension
Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
What is the leading risk factor for the overall global burden of disease
Hypertension
What are the symptoms of hypertension
Breathlessness fatigue fluid retention as cardiac output not adequate to meet metabolic demands
What is the most common cause of hypertension
Secondary to atherosclerosis
Heart Failure is where there is an inadequate cardiac output to meet metabolic demand what is the most common cause of heart failure
Disease of heart itself secondary to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis) and/or myocardial infarction
Other than MI and atherosclerosis what else can cause heart failure
Severe viral infections kidney failure and sleep apnoea
What is meant by angina
Angina is where the oxygen supply to the heart is insufficient upon exertion leading to chest pain
What is the main cause of angina
Coronary artery disease
What are the two types of angina and how do they differ
Stable angina is where symptoms present during exercise. On the other hand unstable angina is where the angina can occur in the absence of exertion and is often linked to other myocardial syndromes
What is pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is where there is a narrowing of the pulmonary arteries. This is caused by proliferation of the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells
What are the effects of pulmonary hypertension
Increased pressure in the lungs and in the right side of the heart. This often results in right sided heart failure
What is the prognosis for patients with pulmonary hypertension
There is an extremely poor prognosis with patients usually surviving only 1-3 after diagnosis
What is Raynaud’s disease
This is where there is an inappropriate vasoconstriction of smaller arteries/arterioles. This is most commonly seen in the hand and fingers
How does Raynaud’s disease usually present
White then blue fingers when exposed to the cold. Then redness upon warming up (reactive hyperaemia return of blood flow)
What happens in severe cases of Raynaud’s disease
It can cause ulceration and gangrene
What are the risk factors for Raynaud’s disease
Smoking hereditary component connective tissue disorders