Pathology of cardiovascular disease

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis

Answer 1

The accumulation of fatty material (cholesterol) forming an atheroma or plaque under the endothelium of the artery

Question 2

As the atheroma grows describe the effect it has on an artery

Answer 2

artery will thicken and lose its elasticity
lumen is narrower
blood flow is restricted
this result sin increased blood pressure

Question 3

When an atheroma has developed in an artery what can happen to the organ or tissue that the blood is flowing to

Answer 3

tissue/organ receives less blood, less oxygen and cells die

Question 4

What can narrowing from an atheroma lead to

Answer 4

angina, heart attach
stroke

Question 5

What is angina

Answer 5

a crushing pain which comes on when the heart si working hard and demanding more oxygen during exercise
the pain will disappear when exercise is stopped

Question 6

What is the result of a blocked coronary artery

Answer 6

the heart cells are deprived of oxygen leaing to death fo tissue

Question 7

What is the medical term for a heart attack

Answer 7

myocardial infarction

Question 8

What is a stroke

Answer 8

a blockage or blood clot in an artery in the brain

Question 9

What si the result of a stroke

Answer 9

cells beyond the blockage will be deprived of oxygen leading to the death of brain tissue

Question 10

What is thrombus

Answer 10

A blood clot

Question 11

what is thrombosis

Answer 11

when a thrombus is in a blood vessel

Question 12

What is damaged if an atheroma ruptures

Answer 12

endothelium

Question 13

What is the enzyme prothrombin converted into

Answer 13

thrombin

Question 14

What does thrombin cause

Answer 14

molecules of the plasma protein fibrinogen to form threads of fibrin

Question 15

Fibrin threads form a meshwork that what

Answer 15

clots the blood
seals the wound
provides a scaffold for the formation for scar tissue

Question 16

What happens if a thrombus breaks loose

Answer 16

forms an embolus

Question 17

What can a thrombosis in a coronary artery lead to

Answer 17

heart attack

Question 18

what can a thrombosis in the artery in the brain lead to

Answer 18

stroke

Question 19

What is peripheral vascular disease

Answer 19

narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerosis in arteries other than those of the heart or brain

Question 20

Where does PVD commonly ccur

Answer 20

in the arteries to the legs

Question 21

What are the symptoms and cause of PVD

Answer 21

pain is experienced in leg muscle due to limited supply of oxygen

Question 22

What si deep vein thrombosis

Answer 22

the formation of a blood clot that forms in a deep vein most commonly in the leg

Question 23

Describe a pulmonary embolism

Answer 23

caused by a part fo a thrombus breaking free and travels via the vena cava and heart chambers to the pulmonary artery where it can cause a blockage in the lungs reusulting in chest pain and breathing difficulties

Question 24

What can an untreated pulmonary embolism lead to

Answer 24

death

Question 25

What is cholesterol

Answer 25

type of lipid found in the cell membrane

Question 26

where in the body is most of the cholesterol synthesised

Answer 26

liver

Question 27

what is cholesterol synthesised from

Answer 27

saturated fats in the diet

Question 28

Name a structure in the body that requires cholesterol

Answer 28

cell membranes

Question 29

name a function of cholesterol in the body

Answer 29

needed to make sex hormones testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone

Question 30

What are lipoproteins

Answer 30

contain lipid and protein

Question 31

Describe high density lipoproteins

Answer 31

transports excess cholesterol from body cells to liver to be broken down prevents accumulation of cholesterol in the blood

Question 32

Describe low density lipoproteins

Answer 32

transports cholesterol form liver to body cells releases cholesterol into the cells

Question 33

What happens once a cell has sufficent cholesterol

Answer 33

a negative feedback system inhibits the synthesis of new LDL receptors

Question 34

What is the result of the negative feedbakc system inhibiting the synthesis of new LDL receptors

Answer 34

results in LDL circulating in the blood where it may deposit cholesterol in the arteries forming atheromas

Question 35

What does a higher rate of HDL to LDL results in

Answer 35

lower blood cholesterol and a reduced chance of developing atherosclerosis

Question 36

What does regular physical activity do

Answer 36

raise HDL levels

Question 37

What does dietary changes do

Answer 37

reduces the levels of total fat in the diet and replace saturated with unsaturated fats

Question 38

What does the drug satins do

Answer 38

reduce blood cholesterol by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol by liver cells

Question 39

What happens when an atheroma ruptures damaging the endothelium

Answer 39

The damage releases clotting factors that activate a cascade of reactions

Question 40

How much of total production of cholesterol takes place in the liver

Answer 40

25% of total production

Question 41

What name is given to the fatty material which accumulates in the process of atherosclerosis

Answer 41

atheroma plaque

Question 42

Where is the fatty material deposited in the process of atherosclerosis

Answer 42

under the endothelium

Question 43

What is hypertension

Answer 43

high blood pressure

Question 44

What is a risk of hypertension

Answer 44

coronary heart disease

Question 45

What is the root cause of cardiovascular disease and PVD

Answer 45

Atherosclerosis W

Question 46

What can happen from deep vein thrombosis

Answer 46

blood clot can break off and result in a pulmonary embolism in the lungs

Question 47

Name the structures cells have on their surface which allows them to take LDL into the cell

Answer 47

LDL receptors