Pathophysiology Of The CVS

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

> Hardening of the arteries
Formation of fibrofatty lesions in the internal lining of the large and medium-sized arteries such as the aorta, coronary arteries, femoral arteries and the large vessels that supply the brain

Question 2

What is the difference between LDL and HDL?

Answer 2

LDL- bad cholesterol

HDL- good cholesterol

Question 3

What happens during atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

> Inflammation is a key factor
As LDL accumulates in the arterial wall, it undergoes chemical changes and signals to endothelial cells to latch onto white blood cells circulating in the blood
These immune cells penetrate the intima and trigger an inflammatory response, devouring LDLs to become fat-laden “foam cells” and form a fatty streak- the earliest stage of atherosclerotic plaque
Plaque continues to grow and forms a fibrous cap
Substances released by foam cells can eventually destabalise the cap, allowing it to rupture, causing a blood clot which can block blood flow and trigger a heart attack

Question 4

What are the complications of atherosclerosis?

Answer 4

> IHD (ischemic heart disease)
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease

Question 5

What are the traditional causes of atherosclerosis?

Answer 5

> Age (50+)
> High LDL cholesterol- there is a ratio between LDL and HDL, if theres more LDL:HDL, this is bad 
> Low HDL cholesterol 
> Hypertension
> Diabetes 
> Smoking

Question 6

What are the underlying causes of atherosclerosis?

Answer 6

> Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle (no exersize)
Atherogtenic diet (high saturated fats)
Stress

Question 7

What are the emerging causes of atherosclerosis?

Answer 7

> Insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome

Question 8

What is are the personality types?

Answer 8

Type A- Impatient, short-tempered, competitive, ambitious, more prone to developing atherosclerosis
Type B- Easy going, social, procrastinator, creator

Question 9

Risk factors for atherosclerosis- hypertension

Answer 9

> Doubles the risk of developing atherosclerosis
More common in younger men than women
More common in black African races, lower socioeconomic classes and in older age groups
Primary hypertension- most of cases where no cause is identified
Secondary hypertension- results from an identifiable condition such as kidney disease

Question 10

Risk factors for atherosclerosis- hyperlipidaemia