T1L7 Factors affecting CVD

Question 1

Name 6 risk factors for CVD

Answer 1

Age
Cholesterol
Alcohol
Smoking
High Salt diet
Genetics

Question 2

Name the 2 Non-modifiable risk factors for CVD

Answer 2

Age and genetics

Question 3

Explain the role of age as a risk factor for CVD

Answer 3

Older = greater risk of CVD
Ageing arteries become less elastic so are more susceptible to damage

Question 4

Explain the role of Cholesterol as a risk factor for CVD (HDL vs. LDL)+

Answer 4

Cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins ad is a vital component of cell membranes and some hormones.

LDL is low density lipoproteins. ‘Bad cholesterol’. LDL causes the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries which restricts blood flow

HDL is high density lipoproteins. ‘Good cholesterol’. HDL absorbs cholesterol in the blood and transports it back to the liver to be removed from the body

Question 5

Explain the role of smoking as a risk factor for CVD (mention CO and Nicotine)

Answer 5

CO exposure increases risk of CVD.

Nicotine stimulates adrenaline so increases heart rate and blood pressure. This means the atherosclerosis process is more likely to occur and a blockage in the arteries is more likely to form.

Other chemicals in cigarettes damage the lining of the arteries which can cause an atheroma to be more likely to develop

Smoking may decrease HDL levels in the blood

Question 6

Explain the role of alcohol as a risk factor for CVD

Answer 6

Regular drinking causes a sustained increase in BP which makes an atheroma more likely to develop

Alcohol can weaken the heart muscle which can make heart failure more likely

Question 7

What are apolipoproteins

Answer 7

Proteins that form lipoproteins

Question 8

Name three types of APOs

Answer 8

APOA
APOB
APOE

Question 9

What are each of the APOs for and what are the affects of a mutation?

Answer 9

apoA
main protein in HDL
mutations associated with low HDL and reduced removal of cholesterol from the blood

apoB
main protein in LDL
mutations may result in higher levels of LDL in the blood and higher levels of cholesterol in the blood

apoE
major component of VLDLs (removal of cholesterol via liver) and HDL
has three common ALLELES E2, E3 and E4
apoE4 slows removal of cholesterol from the blood

Question 10

Why does a high salt content increase CVD risk?

Answer 10

High Na content leads to high BP.
High BP means lining of arteries is more likely to get damaged and an atheroma is more likely to form.

Question 11

What is a free radical?

Answer 11

A molecule capable of independent existence that contains one free electron in its outer shell

Question 12

What do antioxidants do in the body?

Answer 12

Protect your cells from free radicals by donating an electron