Module 3: Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
describe the pathology, progression and health implications of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
a
analyze cardiac risk factors – definition, establishment, absolute risk, relative risk and basic statistical analysis.
a
Definition of atheriosclerosis
a generic term for arterial wall thickening and loss of elasticity.
What are the 3 general patterns of Atherosclerosis
- Hyaline arteriosclerosis
- Mönckeberg medial sclerosis
- Atherosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis which affects ______ and may result in an ischemic problem ____ to where the hardening is:
- small arteries and arterioles
2. distal
What is hyaline arteriolosclerosis
Thickening of the walls of arterioles
As the walls thicken, the lumen _____.
narrows
Thickening of the walls seems to be associated with leakage of serum proteins into the ______
subendothelial space.
hyaline arteriolosclerosis is related to _____ (3)
hypertension, aging, and diabetes mellitus.
There is a predisposition for arterioles in the _____ to have hyaline atheriosclerosis– can contribute to renal failure.
- kidney
2. renal failure
What is Mönckeberg medial sclerosis
Involves the MIDDLE layer of arteries with DESTRUCTION of MUSCLE and ELASTIC fibers and FORMATION of CALCIUM DEPOSITS
Mönckeberg medial sclerosis typically involve ____ sized arteries
large and medium-sized
At what age does Mönckeberg medial sclerosis typically occur
Over 50
What is the prevalance of Mönckeberg medial sclerosis
1%
What disorder is “senile” arteriosclerosis a nickname for
Mönckeberg medial sclerosis
What are the symptoms and prognosis of Mönckeberg medial sclerosis
- No prominent symptoms, usually discovered by chance
2. Is associated with a somewhat poorer prognosis, though this is not universally accepted
What is the term “atherosclerosis” derived from
from the Greek words for “gruel like” and “hardening”.
What are the 3 non-modifiable risk factors of arteriosclerosis
- Genetics
- Age
- Sex
Discuss the genetic risk factor of arteriosclerosis
- Family history is one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis.
- Hyperlipidemias account for a small % of cases.
- Polygenic causes are more common in families where there is a well-established and additional risk factors such as hypertension and/or diabetes.
Discuss the age risk factor of arteriosclerosis
clinical manifestations usually occur between ages 40 and 60.
Discuss the genetic risk factor of arteriosclerosis
Pre-menopausal women are relatively protected against CVDs and complications of CVDs (compared to age-matched men and keeping other factors equal). Following menopause, the risk tends to increase and the risk exceeds that of men.
What are the modifiable risk factors of arteriosclerosis
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypertension
- Smoking
- Diabetes Mellitus
Discuss the Hyperlipidemia risk factor of arteriosclerosis
Considered a MAJOR risk factor (which means that this risk factor can initiate a lesion on its own and even in the absence of other risk factors).
What is LDL and its fxn
Low Density Lipoprotein, LDL (aka bad cholesterol) is the major component of cholesterol responsible for the risk. LDL is responsible for delivering cholesterol to the peripheral tissue.
What is HDL and its fxn
Note that High Density Lipoprotein HDL (aka good cholesterol) has an opposite effect. It can take away cholesterol to the liver for excretion.
The level of LDL (bad cholesterol) can be targeted either through (2)
diet or pharmacological approaches.
Discuss the hypertension risk factor of arteriosclerosis
another major risk factor that can trigger atherosclerosis. Hypertension can increase the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease by about 60% when compared to individuals with normal blood pressure.
Discuss the smoking risk factor of arteriosclerosis
Another major risk factor and a very well-established factor in men and women. More years of smoking 1 pack of cigarettes or more lead to a doubling of the risk of death rate from Ischemic Heart Disease.
Smoking cessation results in reduction of the risk for coronary artery disease by ___% within a year following smoking and ____% after two years.
- 50%
2. 90%
What are 4 risk factors
considered for cardiovascular disease and they usually are found in individuals who lack the obvious risk factors (hypertension, smoking …. etc.):
- Inflammation
- Metabolic syndrome
- Lipoprotein
- Hyperhomocystinemia
Discuss the inflammation risk factor of arteriosclerosis
Inflammation is present during all stages of atherosclerosis and plays a role in the development of the PLAQUES.
Discuss the metabolic syndrome factor of arteriosclerosis
Associated with central obesity and manifest as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.
Discuss the Lipoprotein a factor of arteriosclerosis
an ALTERED FORM of LDL and it can increase the risk of CHD
Discuss the Hyperhomocystinemia factor of arteriosclerosis
An inc blood levels of homocysteine correlates with inc risk of various forms of CVD including CHD
What 6 key players in “Response to Injury Hypothesis”
- Chronic inflammation
- Modified lipoprotein
- Macrophages
- T-lymphocytes
- Endothelial cells
- Smooth muscle cells of arterial wall
What is the step that is considered the cornerstone of how atherosclerosis develops.
Endothelial cell injury and dysfunction
How can the process of endothelial cell injury can be triggered
many mechanisms such as; hemodynamic forces, immune related mechanisms, chemicals and irradiation.
The exact mechanism in early development of atherosclerosis is not well understood but several risk factors have been linked to the initiation of atherosclerosis. These are: (4)
- Toxic substances from cigarette smoke,
- High homocysteine levels,
- Infectious agents (e.g. chlamydia)
- Cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).