Cardiovascular 2 Pathologies Flashcards
(83 cards)
What is Atherosclerosis
Narrowing and hardening of the arteries resulting in reduced blood flow through the arteries negatively impacting delivery of blood to target organs
What arteries do we often see atherosclerosis
Coronary Arteries
Carotoid artery (neck)
Cerebral arteries (brain)
Major arteries of the extremities
Aorta
What is the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis
- Damage to the vascular endothelium resulting in inflammation
- LDL’s deposit in the damaged tunica intima in an attempt to repair the damage, but are then oxidised which attracts phagocytes.
- Macrophages surround the fatty material in an attempt to destroy it and as a result create foam cells
- Vascular smooth muscle cells proliferate
- A cap is formed over the atherosclerotic plaque to wall off the plaque from the blood
What are the causes/risk factors for atherosclerosis
Hereditary, male sex, age men > 45 women > 55, obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, smoking alcohol, south asian, african and caribbean background, gut/oral dysbiosis
What are the signs/clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis
Angina Pectoris, Myocardial Infarction, - Ischaemic heart pain (from thrombosis or embolism)
Stroke, transient Ischaemic attack (from thrombosis, embolism or Haemorrhage)
What does Ischaemic mean
Inadequate blood supply to organ or tissue
What is the Allopathic treatment for Atherosclerosis
Statins, BP meds, stents surgery lifestyle changes
What is the first step necessary for atherosclerosis to occur? What is this often due to/
Endothelial damage is the first step. Often due to oxidative stress/free radicals, stress hyperglycemia and high blood pressure,
What does Hypercholesterolaemia mean
Elevated blood Cholesterol levels
What are the causes/risks for Hypercholesterolaemia
Familial - defect on chromosome 9 causing inability to remove LDL from the blood.
Age
Smoking
Diabetes
Diet high in trans fats table salt etc
Excessive Alcohol
Sedentary lifestyle
What are 2 of the clinical signs of Hypercholesterolaemia
Xanthelasma (zanthalasma) spot on the eyelids
Corneal Arcs - visible fat deposit around the cornea
What is the Allopathic treatment for Hypercholesterolaemia
Statins
What are the adverse side effects of statins
Muscle aches, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, headaches gastro-intestinal effects, cataracts
What is Angina Pectoris
Ischaemic heart disease due to construction or vascular spasm of the coronary arteries
What do the symptoms associated with angina result from? What could this be due to?
The demands of the myocardium are not being met by its blood supply.
Due to atherosclerosis or vascular spasm
What are the 2 types of angina and explain each
Stable angina - pain is precipitated by exercise
Unstable Angina - Occurs randomly, even on rest and can be more severe and last longer.
What are the signs and symptoms of Angina Pectoris
Symptoms - Heavy constricting chest pain, radiating to arms, jaw neck and back, often on the left side but can be bilateral
Sign - Dyspnoea
In Allopathic treatment what is usually given for Angina Pectoris
GNT (Glyceryl Trinitrate sublingual
What are the effects of GNT
Is is converted into nitric oxide = vasculardilation
What is the long term allopathic treatment for Angina Pectoris
Anti-hypertensives, statins, low dose asprin and stents
Define Myocardial Infarction
Is also known as a heart attack. Necrosis of myocardial tissue due to Ischaemia. Usually due to the blockage of a coronary artery by a thrombus.
Infarcted areas produce scar tissue. The remaining tissue hypertrophies and can result in heart failure.
Signs and symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
Severe chest pain (central, radiating to the arms, neck , jaw and back.
Pain can be sharp, tight and heavy and does not improve on rest.
Sweating, nausea, vomiting pale and clammy skin. Shortness of breath light headed.
Overwhelming anxiety and feeling of impending doom.
How is a myocardial infarction diagnosed
Using an ECG
What is the management of Myocardial infarction?
Oxygen
Asprin
Angioplasty (unblocking of the artery)
Thrombotic Therapy (clot busters) they form plasmin which dissolves the cross links of fibrin molecules.
CPR