Unit 2.7 - Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards

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1
Q

What is atherosclerosis?

A

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

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2
Q

How does atherosclerosis effect arteries and blood pressure?

A

As they Atheroma grows the artery thickens and loses its elasticity. The diameter of the lumen becomes reduced and bloodflow becomes restricted resulting in increased blood pressure

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3
Q

What is arthrosclerosis of the root cause of?

A

Various cardiovascular diseases

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4
Q

What happens when atheroma ruptures?

A
  • Rupture damages endothelium
  • Damage releases clotting factors that activate a cascade of reactions resulting in the conversion of the enzyme prothrombin to its active form thrombin t
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5
Q

What does thrombin cause?

A

Thrombin 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
The formation of a clot (thrombus) is referred to as thrombosis

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6
Q

What happens if a thrombin breaks loose?

A

It forms an embolus which travels through the bloodstream until it block a blood vessel

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7
Q

What can a thrombus in an artery in the brain lead to?

A
  • Lead to a stroke

* Cells are deprived of oxygen leading to death of tissue

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8
Q

What can a thrombosis in a coronary artery lead to?

A

A myocardial infarction (MI) commonly known as a heart attack

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9
Q

What is peripheral vascular disease?

A
  • 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 effected.
  • Pain is experienced in the leg muscles due to limited supply of oxygen
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10
Q

What is deep vein thrombosis? (DVT)

A
  • A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the leg
  • This can break off and result in a pulmonary embolism in the lungs
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11
Q

What is cholesterol?

A

A type of lipid found in the cell membrane, it also used to make the sex hormones:
•testosterone
•oestrogen
•progesterone

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12
Q

How is cholesterol synthesised?

A
  • It’s synthesised by all cells

* 25% of total production takes place in the liver

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13
Q

What’s the role of high density lipoprotein (HDL)?

A

HDL transports excess cholesterol from the body cells to the liver for elimination. This prevents accumulation of cholesterol in the blood.

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14
Q

What’s the role of low density Lipoproteins? (LDL)

A

LDL transports cholesterol to body cells

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15
Q

Describe LDL receptors, negative feedback control and atheroma formation

A

Most cells have LDL receptors that take LDL into the cell where it releases cholesterol, once a cell has sufficient cholesterol and negative feedback system inhibits the synthesis of new LDL receptors and LDL circulates in the blood with me deposit cholesterol in the arteries forming atheromas

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16
Q

What’s the importance in ratios of HDL to LDL in maintaining health?

A

A higher ratio of HDL to LDL will result in lower blood cholesterol and a reduced chance of atherosclerosis

17
Q

What are the be if it’s of physical activity and a low fat diet?

A

Regular physical activity tends to raise the HDL levels

Dietary changes aim to release the levels of total fat in the diet and to replace saturated with unsaturated fats

18
Q

What causes an increase in cholesterol level in the blood?

A

A diet high in saturated fats or cholesterol

19
Q

How do prescribed medication reduce blood cholesterol?

A

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