Pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

the accumulation of fatty material (cholesterol) forming an atheroma or plaque

Question 2

Where does an atheroma form?

Answer 2

Beneath the endothelium (inner lining) of the artery wall

Question 3

what happens when an atheroma grows?

Answer 3

The artery thickens and loses its elasticity

Question 4

What does an atheroma do to the diameter of the lumen of an artery?

Answer 4

Reduces the diameter, which restricts blood flow and results in increased blood pressure

Question 5

What is atherosclerosis the root causes of and give examples

Answer 5

Various Cardiovascular diseases

Question 6

Give examples of cardiovascular diseases

Answer 6

Angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disorders

Question 7

What happens if an atheroma ruptures?

Answer 7

Damage to the endothelium which causes the release of clotting factors

Question 8

What does clotting factors cause the enzyme prothrombin to be converted into?

Answer 8

Its active form thrombin

Question 9

What does thrombin cause molecules of the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen to form?

Answer 9

Threads of insoluble fibrin protein

Question 10

What does fibrin threads form?

Answer 10

Meshwork that platelets adhere to, forming a blood clot, which seals a wound that provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue

Question 11

What is thrombosis a formation of?

Answer 11

A blood clot (thrombus) in a vessel

Question 12

What can thrombosis in a coronary artery lead to ?

Answer 12

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Question 13

What can thrombosis in an artery in the brain lead to?

Answer 13

A stroke

Question 14

What does thrombosis result in?

Answer 14

death of some tissue by the blocked artery as the cells are deprived of oxygen

Question 15

What does peripheral vascular disorders include?

Answer 15

Narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerosis of arteries that is not the heart or brain

Question 16

What can blood clots result in?

Answer 16

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism

Question 17

Where is pain experienced during DVT

Answer 17

leg muscles due to a limited supply of oxygen

Question 18

what is a pulmonary embolism caused by?

Answer 18

Part of a thrombus breaking free and travelling through the bloodstream to the pulmonary artery
It causes a blockage, resulting in chest pain and breathing difficulties

Question 19

What is cholesterol a component of?

Answer 19

Cell membranes and a precursor for steroid synthesis

Question 20

What is most cholesterol synthesised by?

Answer 20

The liver from saturated fats in the diet

Question 21

What do lipoproteins contain?

Answer 21

Lipid and protein

Question 22

What does HDL stand for

Answer 22

High density lipoprotein

Question 23

What does HDL transport?

Answer 23

Excess cholesterol from the body cells to the liver for elimination and os prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood

Question 24

What does HDL transport?

Answer 24

cholesterol to body cells

Question 25

What do LDL receptors do?

Answer 25

Take LDL into the cells, where it releases cholesterol

Question 26

What happens when a cell has sufficient cholesterol

Answer 26

Negative feedback system inhibits the synthesis of new LDL receptors and so LDL circulates in the blood where it may deposit the cholesterol in the arteries, forming atheromas

Question 27

What does a higher ratio of HDL to LDL result in?

Answer 27

Lower blood cholesterol and a reduced chance of atherosclerosis

Question 28

How to lower cholesterol level

Answer 28

Activity raises HDL levels
Dietary changes aim to reduce the levels of fat
Drugs such as stains reduce blood cholesterol by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol by liver cells