Unit 1: Cardio Vascular Disease Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis
Accumulation of fattty material (cholesterol, calcium & fiberous materials) forming a atheroma BENEATH the endothelium
What happened to the artery from the result of a atheroma
Artery thickens and looses elasticity, a reduction of the diameter of lumen and blood flow resulting in increased blood pressure
What can atherosclerosis cause
CVDs:
Heart attack
Angina
Stroke
PVD
What is thrombosis
A blood clot that can be caused from atheromas that rupture damaging the endothelium causing the release of clotting factors
Why does blood clot
Blood clotting is a protective device triggered by damage to cells in order to prevent blood loss
What is a thrombus
A Blood clot in a blood vessel
What is an atheroma
Fatty material beneath endothelium
What is thrombosis (short answer)
Formation of the blood clot
What is an embolus
Thrombus which has broken loose
What is an embolism
Embolus blocks a blood vessel
What do threads of fibrin form
They form a meshwork which clots the blood, seals the wound and provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue
Diagram for how blood clots
Prothrombin(inactive enzyme)
Damage➡️clotting factors⬇️
Thrombin(active)
⬇️
Fibrinogen ➡️ Fibrin
(Soluble). (Insoluble)
Flow chart of how an atheroma gets to an embolism
Build up of fatty material beneath the endothelium. ⬇️
Artery thickens & loses elasticity
⬇️
Blood flow reduced & pressure increases
⬇️
Atheroma damages endothial wall
⬇️
Clotting factors released which converts prothrombin to thrombin
⬇️
Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin which forms meshwork for blood clot
⬇️
Blood clot (thrombus) can break free, travelling through blood stream⬇️
Embolus travels & blocks blood vessel which is called an embolism. ⬇️
Cells become deprived of oxygen & tissues die
What happens if thrombosis is in a conary artery
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
What happens if thrombosis happens to the artery leading to the brain
A stroke
What are peripheral arteries
Those other than aorta , conary arteries or carotid arteries
What is Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Narrowing of the arteries due to atherosclerosis of arteries other than those to the heart and brain
Mainly in the legs
What is experienced in sufferers of PVD
Pain in their leg muscles due to a limited supply of oxygen
What is deep vain thrombosis (DVT)
Formation of a thrombus in a deep vein usually in the calf causing painful swelling
Where is DVT most common
In the leg after a long period of inactivity
What happens if a thrombus in a vein breaks free
It may travel through the heart and block the pulmonary artery known as a pulmonary embolism
