Pathology of CVD

Question 1

Atherosclerosis

Answer 1

Build up of fatty material (such as cholesterol, fibrous material and calcium). Build up forms an atheroma (degeneration of walls of arteria) under endothelium (cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels).

Question 2

Atheroma

Answer 2

Degeneration of walls of arterias

Question 3

Increase of atheroma causes?

Answer 3

Artery loses elasticity

Blockage restricts blood flow due to decreased diameter of lumen

Restricted flow increases blood pressure

Question 4

Atherosclerosis can lead too…

Answer 4

Various CVD such as angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease

Question 5

Atheroma ruptures

Answer 5

Damage to endothelium of artery. Leads to cascade of events that form a blood clot.

Question 6

Stages of blood clot

Answer 6

1. damage to endothelium releases clotting factors
2. clotting factors convert enzyme prothrombin to thrombin
3. thrombin causes plasma protein fibronogen to form threads of fibrin
4. fibrin threads mesh together clotting blood and sealing wound
5. scar tissue forms on scaffold creating clot

Question 7

blood clotting enzyme

Answer 7

prothrombin to thrombin

Question 8

Protein in blood clot

Answer 8

Fibrinogen to Fibrin

Question 9

Term given to formation of blood clot

Answer 9

Thrombosis

• blood clot (thrombus)

Question 10

Thrombus breaks loose

Answer 10

Forms embolus which travels in bloodstream where it may end up blocking blood vessel completely

Question 11

Embolus blocks a coronary artery

Answer 11

Can lead to heart attack (myocardial infraction) or stroke, if artery supplying brain - can cause death due to lack of oxygen

Question 12

Coronary artery

Answer 12

Supplies heart muscle with o and glucose so can continually respire and contract

Question 13

Peripheral vascular disease

Answer 13

Caused by narrowing of arteries that are not connected to heart or brain due to atherosclerosis

Question 14

PVD often affects

Answer 14

Arteries in leg - pain due to lack of oxygen

Question 15

Deep vein thrombosis

Answer 15

Blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in leg, can break off to form embolus and could cause pulmonary embolism

Question 16

Cholesterol

Answer 16

type of lipid found in cell membrane, also used to synthesise sex hormones

Question 17

Increased blood pressure can be caused by

Answer 17

diet in high saturated fats or cholesterol

Question 18

Where does cholesterol come from?

Answer 18

produced by cells of 25% comes from liver

Question 19

2 types of cholesterol carrying proteins?

Answer 19

HDL

LL

Question 20

HDL

Answer 20

High density lipoproteins

Transport excess cholesterol from the rest of body to liver for elimination from body

Question 21

LDL

Answer 21

Low density lipoproteins

Transport cholesterol from liver to rest of body and deposit cholesterol inside arteries

Question 22

Cholesterol level negative feedback system

Answer 22

1. Cells have LDL receptors on surface which allow cholestrol to be deposited inside cells by LDLs
2. Once there adequate amounts of cholesterol inside cell, synthesis of LDL receptors are inhibited which reduces amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into cells
3. As result, excess LDL carried cholesterol is deposited inside the arteries, lining endothelium causes atheroma to be formed

Question 23

A higher ratio of HDL to LDL results in…

Answer 23

Lower blood cholesterol levels and reduces chances of atherosclerosis

Question 24

How to raise HDL

Answer 24

diet of low saturated fats and regular activity can raise HDL levels

Question 25

Drugs to manage cholesterol

Answer 25

Statins - inhibiting synthesis of cholesterol in liver

Question 26

IN CHD what fatty deposits on walls of arteries called?

Answer 26

Plaques

Question 27

Role of HDL

Answer 27

Transport excess cholesterol from rest of body to liver for elimination from body