Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is the purpose of the cardiovascular system?
Transport of nutrients and other materials via the blood to and from various parts of the body.
(Lecture 7, Slide 2)
Why is coronary heart disease such a problem in the UK?
Diet, smoking and physical inactivity.
(Lecture 7, Slide 15)
What is hypertension?
High or raised blood pressure.
(Lecture 7, Slide 17)
What are 2 consequences of untreated hypertension?
Stroke, cardiac failure, peripheral and coronary heart disease and renal failure.
(Lecture 7, Slide 17)
What are normal blood pressure values?
About 120 mm Hg (milometers of mercury) systolic and 70 mm Hg Diastolic
(Lecture 7, Slide 20)
What are risk 3 factors that can cause primary (essential) hypertension?
There is no clear cause but several risk factors include:
Genes
Lack of exercise
Stress
Smoking
Obesity
Excess alcohol consumption
(Lecture 7, Slide 23)
What causes secondary hypotension?
Secondary hypertension is caused due to an underlying condition such as:
Kidney problems
Certain hormone imbalances
Pregnancy complications
(Lecture 7, Slide 24)
What percentage of hypertension is primary and secondary?
90 - 95% of hypertension is primary with 5 - 10% being secondary.
(Lecture 7, Slides 23 and 24)
What are 2 factors affecting blood pressure?
Diameter of blood vessels
Cardiac output
Blood volume
Vessel elasticity
(Lecture 7, Slide 25)
How does blood vessel diameter affect blood pressure?
Dilated arterioles - low resistance to flow resulting in low blood pressure
Opposite is true for constricted vessels.
(Lecture 7, Slide 27)
How is the diameter of arterioles controlled by sympathetic nerves?
High activity > Release noradrenaline (NA) > acts on α1-adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle cells resulting in constriction.
(Lecture 7, Slide 30)
What are 3 symptoms of stroke?
Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg - usually on one side of the body, loss of speech or trouble talking / understanding speech, sudden blurred or doubled vision and occasionally sudden severe headaches.
In severe cases there may be loss of consciousness.
(Lecture 8, Slide 4)
What is a Haemorrhagic Stroke and what percentage of strokes are Haemorrhagic?
Rupture of a small blood vessel - ~ 20% of strokes
(Lecture 8, Slide 5)
What is an Ischaemic stroke and what percentage of strokes are Ischaemic?
Lack of blood flow to the brain - ~ 80%
(Lecture 8, Slide 5)
How are strokes diagnosed?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
(Lecture 8, Slide 6)
How is an Ischaemic Stroke treated?
Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) acts as a “Clot busting drug” - it dissolves blood clots but must be given within 3 hours of stroke.
Doesn’t treat a haemorrhagic stroke
(Lecture 8, Slide 7)
Why is Aspirin given for an Ischaemic stroke?
As it stops blood clots forming
(Lecture 8, Slide 7)
What is Angina?
Pain in the chest while walking, exercising etc that is relieved during rest.
(Lecture 8, Slide 13)
What are 2 symptoms of Angina?
A constricting pain around the chest (in stable angina this pain is relieved by rest)
Pain radiating from the chest to the throat, arms, next and back
Dizziness / Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Difficulty breathing.
(Lecture 8, Slide 14)
How is angina treated?
Drugs causing relaxation of smooth muscle.
(Lecture 8, Slide 16)
What are 2 physical changes that happen during the fight or flight response?
Heart rate increases, blood is diverted to the skeletal muscles, airways and pupils dilate.
(Lecture 8, Slide 18)
What is Cholesterol and where is it found?
A lipid substance found in all cells.
(Lecture 8, Slide 21)
How does the body obtain cholesterol?
Its made in the liver and also absorbed from meat, dairy products and eggs.
(Lecture 8, Slide 21)
What is cholesterol packed into for transportation?
Lipoproteins.
(Lecture 8, Slide 21)
