Cornary Heart disease

Question 1

What is coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Answer 1

-disorder of blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis

-Atherosclerosis: deposits of lipids in artery walls

-Endothelial wall inflammation due to factors like hypertension, smoking, diabetes

-Develops over years, often advanced when symptoms appear

Question 2

What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)?
Answer:

Answer 2

-Modifiable: Elevated serum lipids, hypertension, smoking, inactivity, obesity

-Non-modifiable: Age, gender, ethnicity, family history, genetics

-Indigenous Australians have higher prevalence of elevated cholesterol, hypertension

Question 3

What is the significance of cholesterol in coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Answer 3

-Increased cholesterol increases atherosclerosis risk

-HDL: Removes lipids from arteries, reduces CAD risk

-LDL/VLDL: Carry lipids to arteries, increase CAD risk

Question 4

What is angina?

Answer 4

-Chest pain due to reversible myocardial ischemia

-Result of inadequate blood flow to heart muscle

-Caused by >75% artery blockage (stenosis) from atherosclerosis

-Chronic stable angina: Intermittent pain with consistent triggers, uncommon at rest.