Mass Transport In Mammals 5 - Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

Name the 3 most common risk factors of cardiovascular disease

Answer 1

High blood cholesterol and poor diet
Smoking cigarettes
High blood pressure

Question 2

How does high blood cholesterol and poor diet contribute to cardiovascular disease?

Answer 2

Cholesterol = main constituent of fatty deposits and they form atheromas
Atheromas = increased blood pressure and blood clots
These can block flow of blood in the coronary arteries
Diet high in fat & salt = increase risk of cardiovascular disease

Question 3

How does smoking cigarettes contribute to cardiovascular disease?

Answer 3

Nicotine and carbon monoxide (CO) contained in cigarette smoke = increase cardiovascular disease
CO combines with haemoglobin and reduces amount of oxygen carried in red blood cells = muscles that don’t receive enough oxygen can lead to a heart attack
Smoking decreases antioxidants in the blood ~ less antioxidants = cell damage in artery walls = more atheromas

Question 4

How does high blood pressure contribute to cardiovascular disease?

Answer 4

High blood pressure increases risk of damage to the arteries
Damaged walls = increases artheroma formation = blood clots
Blood clots can block flow of blood to heart muscle = myocardial infarction
Anything that increases high blood pressure (overweight, not exercising, high alcohol consumption) can increase risk of cardiovascular disease