Unit 1 - Pathology of cardiovascular disease Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis?
Accumulation of fatty material forming an atheroma / plaque beneath the endothelium
What is the result of atherosclerosis?
Artery thickens and loses it’s elasticity
A reduction in the diameter of the lumen and blow flood resulting in increased BP
What can atherosclerosis lead to?
Development of various CVD’s such as
- heart attack
- angina
- stroke and PVD
What is blood clotting?
A protective device triggered by damage to cells in order to prevent blood loss
What happens when atheroma’s ruptures?
Endothelium is damaged causing the release of clotting factors
What does fibrin do?
Form a meshwork which clots the blood, seals the wound and provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue.
What is thrombosis?
Formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel usually caused by an atheroma enlarging and rupturing the endothelium of the vessel
What happens if a thrombus breaks loose?
it is known as an embolus which is carried along by blood until it blocks a narrow vessel which reduces blood flow
What happens if thrombosis occurs in a coronary artery?
Can cause a myocardial infarction ( heart attack )
What happens if thrombosis occurs in a artery leading to the brain?
Can cause a stroke
What happens when cells are deprived of oxygen?
Death of tissues
What are peripheral arteries?
Those other than aorta, coronary arteries or carotid arteries
Atherosclerosis affect on arteries…
Leads to PVD, most commonly affecting legs ( pain in leg muscles due to limited oxygen)
Deep vain thrombosis…
Formation of thrombus in a deep vein
What if a thrombus in vein breaks free?
May travel through the heart and block the pulmonary artery = PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Functions of CHOLESTEROL?
- Precursor for synthesis of steroids
2. Basic component of cell membranes
Synthesis of cholesterol…
Synthesised by all cells but 25% is produced in liver cells from SATURATED FATS
Cholesterol transportation?
Transported around the body attached to lipoproteins
Good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?
HDL = GOOD (excess cholesterol from body to liver) LDL = BAD (excess cholesterol from liver to body)
LDL Receptors?
Receptors which take LDL into the cell where it releases cholesterol
What happens when adequate supply of cholesterol is reached?
Negative feedback inhibits synthesis of new LDL receptors = reducing amount of LDL
