unit 2.7: pathology of cardiovascular disease

Question 1

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 1

the formation of plaques, or athenians beneath the inner wall of an artery

Question 2

what are atheromas composed of

Answer 2

fatty material
cholesterol

Question 3

what do atheromas become enlarged by

Answer 3

fibrous materials
calcium
more cholesterol

Question 4

what happens as an atheroma grows

Answer 4

the artery loses elasticity
lumen narrows
artery thickens

Question 5

what is a result of the artery thickening and lumen narrowing

Answer 5

increased blood pressure due to reduced blood flow

Question 6

what can larger plaques be hardened by

Answer 6

calcium

Question 7

what can atherosclerosis lead to

Answer 7

CHD
stroke
heart attack
peripheral vascular disease

Question 8

what does coronary heart disease refer to

Answer 8

any disease that results in restriction or blockage of the coronary blood supply

Question 9

what can larger atheromas lead to

Answer 9

reduction in diameter of lumen
restriction of blood flow to capillary bed from artery
increased blood pressure

Question 10

what is angina

Answer 10

pain in the centre of the chest radiating to the left arm and into the neck and jaw

Question 11

what is angina caused by

Answer 11

coronary arteries becoming narrowed due to atherosclerosis

Question 12

what is the reaction for forming a blood clot

Answer 12

prothrombin (inactive enzyme) > thrombin
fibrinogen > fibrin threads (promoted by thrombin)

Question 13

what do fibrin threads do

Answer 13

form a mesh work that clots blood, seals wounds and provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue

Question 14

what is another name for a blood clot

Answer 14

thrombus

Question 15

what is thrombosis

Answer 15

the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel

Question 16

how can thrombosis occur

Answer 16

after a large atheroma bursts through the inner lining, the wound gets sealed by a blood clot

Question 17

what is it called if an thrombus gets loose in the blood vessel

Answer 17

embolus

Question 18

what happens to an embolus

Answer 18

carried through blood until it blocks a narrow blood vessel

Question 19

what is coronary thrombosis

Answer 19

the blockage of the coronary artery by a thrombus

Question 20

what can coronary thrombosis lead to

Answer 20

heart attack

Question 21

how does coronary thrombosis lead to a heart attack

Answer 21

the muscle is deprived of oxygen due to the blockage

Question 22

what is another name for a heart attack

Answer 22

myocardial infarction

Question 23

how can a stroke occur

Answer 23

a thrombus blocking an artery to the brain, depriving it of oxygen, leading to tissue death

Question 24

what is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer 24

the formation of a thrombus in the lower leg (calf)

Question 25

what can DVT result in

Answer 25

pulmonary embolism

Question 26

what is a pulmonary embolism

Answer 26

a blood clot blocking a small arterial branch of the pulmonary artery

Question 27

what can a pulmonary embolism result in

Answer 27

chest pain difficulty breathing

Question 28

what are the 2 types of cholesterol in the body

Answer 28

low density lipoproteins (LDL) high density lipoproteins (HDL)

Question 29

what is LDL also referred to as

Answer 29

bad cholesterol

Question 30

what is HDL sometimes referred to as

Answer 30

good cholesterol healthy cholesterol

Question 31

which type of cholesterol contributes to atherosclerosis

Answer 31

LDL

Question 32

why does HDL not contribute to atherosclerosis

Answer 32

it is not taken into the artery walls

Question 33

what is the job of HDL

Answer 33

transports excess cholesterol to the liver

Question 34

what does a high ration of HDL:LDL result in

Answer 34

decreased cholesterol in the blood reduced risk of atherosclerosis and CVD

Question 35

what does a low ratio of HDL:LDL result in

Answer 35

increased level of cholesterol in the blood higher risk of atherosclerosis and CVD

Question 36

how can you raise HDL levels

Answer 36

eating less fat regular physical activity dietary changes to reduce total fat in diet replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats

Question 37

what is the synthesis of new LDL receptors inhibited by

Answer 37

negative feedback

Question 38

what are statins

Answer 38

drugs to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood

Question 39

how do statins work

Answer 39

inhibit an enzyme essential for synthesis of cholesterol by liver cells

Question 40

where is most of the cholesterol synthesised in the body

Answer 40

the liver