Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were developed by Wilhelm Einthoven that developed the ‘triangle of Einthoven’. What is this triangle?
The triangle is formed by three points on the body (left shoulder, right shoulder and left foot), where electrodes can be placed to measure the electrical conduction of the heart. The left shoulder is +/-, right shoulder -/- and left foot is +/+. If the electricity produced by the heart moves towards a positive electrode, an upward deflection can be visualized. If the electricity produced by the heart moves towards a negative electrode, a downward deflection can be visualized.
Explain in short the PQRST wave of an ECG.
- P-wave: represents atrial depolarization that triggers atrial contraction.
- QRS complex: represents ventricular depolarization that initiates the contraction of the ventricles.
- T-wave: represents ventricular repolarization, where the ventricles recover in preparation for the next contraction.
There are some old(er), but meaningful studies performed in the 1900s, such as the Framingham Heart Study, London Transport Workers Study, Seven Countries Study. What were important conclusions of this study in regard to the prevalence and etiology of cardiovascular disease?
That environmental and genetic factors (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking) compose as important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. But also that the mediterranean diet is a preventable factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore: results are clear that cardiovascular disease can be prevented, with among others a healthy lifestyle.
What is occlusion of arteries, i.e. artherosclerosis? Describe its pathophysiology.
Artherosclerosis is the buildup of plaques in the arterial walls.
* Typically begins with endothelial injury (caused by e.g. high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol levels). Due to endothelial injury, LDL-cholesterol can more easily enter the arterial wall.
* This causes LDL-cholesterol accumulation and oxidative modification of LDL, where macrophages attempt to get rid of this LDL. As a result, macrophages turn into foam cells (macrophages containing parts of LDL) and accumulate in the arterial intima, leading to the formation of fatty streaks within the vessel wall.
* This triggers an inflammatory response, enhancing atherosclerotic plaque formation even further.
What is myocardial infarction?
Occlusion of a coronary artery, often the result of artherosclerosis.
What is the difference between systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure?
- Systolic heart failure is where the left ventricle is unable to contract, where as a result insufficient blood is ejecting into the circulatory system.
- Diastolic heart failure is where the left ventricle cannot relax and thus has difficulty filling the left ventricle with enough blood, leading to decreased filling of the left ventrille and less blood available to be pumped into the circulatory system.
Name other cardiovascular diseases.
Stroke, arrythmia, peripheral artery disease, pericarditis.
What is the common underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular disease?
Hypertension, i.e. high blood pressure.
Name risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
- Age
- Education
- Income
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Overweight
- Fat intake
- Physical activity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Blood pressure
Note that all these risk factors are related to each other.
Name three types of food that have strong evidence for their relationship to cardiovascular disease.
Nuts, olive oil, and salt
What do you have to think critically about when investigating the influence of a certain determinant on cardiovascular events?
That different outcomes have different durations. So looking at the influence of e.g. the amount of olive oil consumption on blood pressure takes less time than looking at the association between olive oil consumption and the development of a cardiovascular disease.
