Topic 15

Question 1

What is the process of atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

the accumulation of fatty material (consisting mainly of cholesterol),fibrous material and calcium forming an
atheroma or plaque beneath the endothelium.

Question 2

How does atherosclerosis effect the artery?

Answer 2

As the atheroma grows the artery thickens and loses its elasticity, The diameter of the artery becomes reduced

Question 3

How does atherosclerosis effect the blood pressure?

Answer 3

and blood flow becomes restricted resulting in increased blood pressure.

Question 4

What cardiovascular diseases can atherosclerosis cause?

Answer 4

Angina,heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular

disease.

Question 5

What is thrombosis?

Answer 5

Atheromas may rupture damaging the endothelium.
The damage releases clotting factors that activate a cascade of reactions resulting in the conversion of the enzyme prothrombin to its active form thrombin. Thrombin then causes molecules of the plasma protein fibrinogen to form threads of fibrin. The fibrin threads form a meshwork that clots the blood, seals the wound and provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue

Question 6

What enzyme is involved in thrombosis?

Answer 6

prothrombin

Question 7

What is an embolus?

Answer 7

In some cases a
thrombus may break loose forming an
embolus and travel through the bloodstream
until it blocks a blood vessel.

Question 8

What may a thrombosis in a coronary artery lead to?

Answer 8

thrombosis in a coronary artery may lead to a heart attack (MI) myocardio infarction

Question 9

What may a thrombosis in a artery in the brain lead to?

Answer 9

A thrombosis in anartery in the brain may lead to a stroke.

Question 10

What happens to brain cells during a stroke?

Answer 10

Cells are deprived of oxygen leading to death of the tissues

Question 11

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Answer 11

Peripheral vascular disease is narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis of arteries other than those of the heart or brain. The arteries to the legs are most commonly affected.

Question 12

Why is pain experienced in the leg muscles for peripheral vascular disease?

Answer 12

Pain is experienced in the leg muscles due to a limited supply of oxygen

Question 13

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Answer 13

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein most commonly in the leg, and can break off and result in a pulmonary embolism

Question 14

Where does a quarter of cholesterol production take place?

Answer 14

the liver

Question 15

What will lead to an increase of cholesterol levels?

Answer 15

A diet high in saturated fats or cholesterol

Question 16

What is the function of cholesterol?

Answer 16

Is a component of cell membranes and a

precursor for steroid synthesis

Question 17

What is the function of High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL)?

Answer 17

HDL transports excess cholesterol from the body

cells to the liver for elimination

Question 18

What does HDLs prevent?

Answer 18

This prevents accumulation of cholesterol in the

blood.

Question 19

What is the function of Low-Density Lipoproteins

Answer 19

LDL transports cholesterol to body cells. Most cells have LDL receptors that take LDL into the cell where it releases cholesterol

Question 20

What happens once a cell has sufficient cholesterol?

Answer 20

Once a cell has sufficient cholesterol a negative feedback system inhibits the synthesis of new LDL receptors and LDL circulates in the blood where it
may deposit cholesterol in the arteries forming atheromas

Question 21

What should the ratio of HDL and LDL in order to have a lower blood cholesterol and a reduced chance of atherosclerosis?

Answer 21

A higher ratio of HDL to LDL

Question 22

What lifestyle change will result in higher HDL levels?

Answer 22

Regular physical activity

Question 23

What will making dietary changes aim to do?

Answer 23

aim to reduce thelevels of total fat in the diet and to replace saturated with unsaturated fats

Question 24

How do drugs like statins reduce blood cholesterol?

Answer 24

Drugs such as statins reduce blood cholesterol by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol by liver cells.

Question 25

What is Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)?

Answer 25

due to an autosomal dominant gene predisposes individuals to developing high levels of cholesterol. FH genes cause a reduction in the number of LDL receptors or an altered receptor structure.

Question 26

How can Familial hypercholesterolaemia be tested?

Answer 26

genetic testing.

Question 27

How can Familial hypercholesterolaemia can treated?

Answer 27

it can be treated with lifestyle modification and drugs.