vascular diseases Flashcards
peripheral vascular disease
a slow and progressive circulation disorder.
caused by: artherosclerosis, injury to arms/ legs, irregular anatomy of muscles/ ligs or infection
risk factors: Age (especially older than age 50), History of heart disease, Male gender, Postmenopausal women, Family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or peripheral vascular disease, Coronary artery disease, Diabetes, High cholesterol, High blood pressure, Overweight, Physical inactivity, Smoking or use of tobacco products
patho: artherosclerosis= the buildup of plaque inside the artery wall. Plaque reduces the amount of blood flow to the limbs. It also decreases the oxygen and nutrients available to the tissue. Blood clots may form on the artery walls, further decreasing the inner size of the blood vessel and block off major arteries.
symptoms: Changes in the skin, including decreased skin temperature, or thin, brittle, shiny skin on the legs and feet, Weak pulses in the legs and the feet, Gangrene (dead tissue due to lack of blood flow), Hair loss on the legs, Impotence, Wounds that won’t heal over pressure points, such as heels or ankles, Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles, Pain (described as burning or aching) at rest, commonly in the toes and at night while lying flat, Paleness when the legs are elevated, Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities, Restricted mobility, Severe pain when the artery is very narrow or blocked, Thickened, opaque toenails
hypertension
=where the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure.
Rarely shows many symptoms unless it is left untreated for a longer period of time
caused by: Unhealthy lifestyle (overweight, poor diet, low activity), Smoking, Pregnancy, Too much alcohol or caffeine, Poor sleep quality and quantity, High salt diet and little vegetables, underlying health conditions, Medications
pop: >65 are most at risk
African/black Caribbean descent
risk factors: Overweight, Unhealthy lifestyle (food and low activity), Heart disease, Heart attack, Strokes, Heart failure, Peripheral arterial disease, Aortic aneurysms, Kidney disease, Vascular Demetria
s&s: -Blurry/double vision, Fatigue, Headache, Heart palpitations, Nosebleeds, Shortness of breath, Nausea/vomiting
Patho: chronic increase of blood pressure leading to end organ damage and increased morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure= systolic and diastolic
stroke/ TIA’s
=temporary stroke like symptoms symptoms due to artery blockage and decreased blood to brain
Risks: head trauma, haemorrhage, men, obesity, high cholesterol, high age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, genetics, contraception, previous tia/ heart conditions, vascular disease
S&s: face unilateral weakness/ palsy, slurred speech, arm weakness, Diplopia, vision disruption, disorientation, seizure, vomiting
Patho: blood and oxygen deficiency to brain. Tia= temporary. Ischamic= blood clot
AAA
=abdominal aortic aneurysm. a bulge or swelling in the aorta
causes: atherosclerosis, high bp, blood vessel diseases, aorta infections, trauma
symptoms: Deep, constant pain in the belly area or side of the belly, Back pain, A pulse near the bellybutton.
risk factors: smoking, 65+, male, white, family history, other aneurysms
patho: An aortic aneurysm is a dilatation in which the aortic diameter is ≥ 3.0 cm. If left untreated, the aortic wall continues to weaken and becomes unable to withstand the forces of the luminal blood pressure resulting in progressive dilatation and rupture
cervical artery disection
=condition where you have a tear in the wall of one of the large blood vessels (arteries) in your neck. This can cause blood clots in your arteries, which can affect the blood supply to your brain
causes: an injury or strain, a health condition that may weaken your blood vessels
symptoms: a really bad headache, pain or tenderness in your neck on one side, pain in your face, pulsating tinnitus, which is a rhythmic noise in your ears that often beats in time to your heart, not being able to move one side of your body, problems with your sight, including temporarily losing your sight completely, migraine symptoms, such as shimmering lights in your vision, a drooping eyelid, which can be very painful
risk factors: inherited conditions, high bp, blood vessel medical problem
patho: Carotid artery dissection begins as a tear in the tunica intima or directly within the tunica media (possibly originating from the vasa vasorum)The blood dissects along the artery to create an intramural hematoma that leads to a thrombus, which can narrow the carotid artery lumen and become a place for distal embolization
DVTs/ PE
=a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg
caused by: Changes in blood flow (stasis or turbulence), Vessel wall dysfunction, Changes in blood components, leading to hypercoagulability (Virchow’s triad)
pop: 25-50% of surgical patients, and many non-surgical patients
risk factors: >60 years old, overweight, smoke, previously had a DVT before, take the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy, have cancer or heart failure, or have varicose veins, not moving for awhile
s&s: Pain and swelling in one leg (rarely both legs), leg may be warm to the touch, tenderness along the course of the deep and dilation of the superficial veins, throbbing or cramping in one leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh, red or darkened skin around the painful area, or swollen veins that are hard or sore when touched
Patho: usually begins in venous valve cusps. Thrombi consists of thrombin, fibrin and red blood cells with few platelets
Blood clot formation= clotting factors signal to cause a rapid chain reaction. Ends with a dissolved substance in blood turning into long strands of fibrin. Those get tangled up with platelets in the plug to create a net trapping more platelets and cells
vertebral artery insufficency
=a condition characterized by poor blood flow to the posterior portion of the brain
symptoms: Loss of vision in part or all of both eyes, Double vision, Vertigo (spinning sensation), Numbness or tingling, Nausea and vomiting, Slurred speech, Loss of coordination, dizziness or confusion, Trouble swallowing, A drop attack — sudden generalized weakness
patho: Blockage of these arteries occurs over time through a process called atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque. Plaques are made up of deposits of cholesterol, calcium and other cellular components. They not only make the arteries ‘hard,’ they grow over time and can obstruct or even block the flow of blood to the brain.
The vertebrobasilar arteries supply oxygen and glucose to the parts of the brain responsible for consciousness, vision, coordination, balance and many other essential functions. Both restricted blood flow and the complete blockage of it — called ischemic events — have serious consequences for brain cells
risk factors: Smoking, Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Older age, Gender: men have a higher risk before age 75; women have a high risk after age 75, Family history, Genetic factors, Hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood)
