4.5.11
Cardiovascular Disease
Atheromas
Atheromas
Atheromas are the deposition of materials in the walls of the arteries causing a blockage. Atheromas can cause a number of cardiovascular diseases.


Deposition
Deposition
- The endothelium of arteries can become damaged by the deposition of white blood cells and lipids.
- If white blood cells and fatty materials continue to be deposited in the artery walls, the materials will begin to form hard, fibrous plaque.


Narrow lumen
Narrow lumen
- As the fibrous plaque builds up, the lumen of the artery becomes narrower.
- The flow of blood through the arteries is restricted.
- The narrower lumen also increases blood pressure.
- The presence of the fibrous plaque is called an atheroma.


Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease
- Atheromas can cause diseases of the heart.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a type of disease that is associated with many atheromas.
Aneurysm & Thrombosis
Aneurysm & Thrombosis
Atheromas can increase the risk of two types of diseases:


Aneurysm
Aneurysm
- Atheromas damage the artery walls and increase blood pressure.
- The increased blood pressure can cause the elastic fibres in the artery wall to swell in balloon-like structure.
- This swelling is an aneurysm.


Thrombosis
Thrombosis
- Atheromas can damage the artery walls, causing them to burst open.
- Platelets are transported in the bloodstream to the damaged part of the artery wall.
- The platelets accumulate and form a clot called a thrombus.
- A thrombus can block blood flow in the artery.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors that can increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. These include:


Diet
Diet
- A diet that is high in saturated fat and salt can lead to high blood cholesterol levels.
- Cholesterol in the blood can contribute to the formation of atheromas in the arteries.


Smoking
Smoking
- Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of high blood pressure.
- Carbon monoxide found in cigarettes reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried by haemoglobin in the blood.
- Reduced transport of oxygen can increase the risk of a heart attack.


High blood pressure
High blood pressure
- High blood pressure can be inherited or it can be caused by being overweight and consuming excessive alcohol.
- High blood pressure can contribute to the formation of atheromas.
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model
1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals
1.1.3Ionic Bonding
1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds
1.1.5Covalent Bonding
1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds
1.1.7Metallic Bonding
1.1.8Intermolecular Forces
1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 2
1.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding
1.1.11Relative Masses
1.1.12The Mole
1.1.13Molar Calculations
1.1.14Molar Calculations 2
1.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae
1.1.16Balanced Equations
1.1.17Percentage Yield
1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table
1.2.2Ionisation Energy
1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies
1.2.4Trends of Ionisation
1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table
1.2.6Polarity
1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals
1.2.8Alkali Metals
1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals
1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals
1.2.11Redox
1.2.12Transition Metals
1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange
1.5.2Blood Vessels
1.5.3Atherosclerosis
1.5.4Skeletal Muscle
1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres
1.5.6Neurones
1.5.7Speed of Transmission
1.5.8Action Potentials
1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials
1.5.10Synapses
1.5.11Types of Synapse
1.5.12Medical Application
1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses
1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances
1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System
4.5.2Blood Vessels
4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System
4.5.4The Heart
4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle
4.5.6Cardiac Output
4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action
4.5.8Heart Dissection
4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate
4.5.10Electrocardiograms
4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease
4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency
4.9.2Work & Energy
4.9.3Conservation of Energy
4.9.4Pressure
4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics
4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics
4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators
4.9.8Non-Flow Processes
4.9.9p-V Diagrams
4.9.10Ideal Gases
4.9.11Ideal Gases 2
4.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer
4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Jump to other topics
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.1.1Atomic Model
1.1.2Electron Shells, Sub-Shells & Orbitals
1.1.3Ionic Bonding
1.1.4Representing Ionic Bonds
1.1.5Covalent Bonding
1.1.6Representing Covalent Bonds
1.1.7Metallic Bonding
1.1.8Intermolecular Forces
1.1.9Intermolecular Forces 2
1.1.10End of Topic Test - Bonding
1.1.11Relative Masses
1.1.12The Mole
1.1.13Molar Calculations
1.1.14Molar Calculations 2
1.1.15Empirical & Molecular Formulae
1.1.16Balanced Equations
1.1.17Percentage Yield
1.1.18End of Topic Test - Amount of Substance
1.2Properties of Substances
1.2.1The Periodic Table
1.2.2Ionisation Energy
1.2.3Factors Affecting Ionisation Energies
1.2.4Trends of Ionisation
1.2.5Trends in the Periodic Table
1.2.6Polarity
1.2.7Metals & Non-Metals
1.2.8Alkali Metals
1.2.9Alkaline Earth Metals
1.2.10Reactivity of Alkaline Earth Metals
1.2.11Redox
1.2.12Transition Metals
1.2.13Redox Reactions of Transition Metals
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.5.1Human Gas Exchange
1.5.2Blood Vessels
1.5.3Atherosclerosis
1.5.4Skeletal Muscle
1.5.5Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres
1.5.6Neurones
1.5.7Speed of Transmission
1.5.8Action Potentials
1.5.9End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials
1.5.10Synapses
1.5.11Types of Synapse
1.5.12Medical Application
1.5.13End of Topic Test - Synapses
1.5.14Chemical Brain Imbalances
1.5.15Effect of Drugs on the Brain
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.5.1The Circulatory System
4.5.2Blood Vessels
4.5.3Blood Transfusion & the ABO Rhesus System
4.5.4The Heart
4.5.5The Cardiac Cycle
4.5.6Cardiac Output
4.5.7Coordination of Heart Action
4.5.8Heart Dissection
4.5.9Controlling Heart Rate
4.5.10Electrocardiograms
4.5.11Cardiovascular Disease
4.5.12Investigating Heart Rates
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.9.1Power & Efficiency
4.9.2Work & Energy
4.9.3Conservation of Energy
4.9.4Pressure
4.9.5First Law of Thermodynamics
4.9.6Second Law of Thermodynamics
4.9.7Heat Engines, Heat Pumps & Refrigerators
4.9.8Non-Flow Processes
4.9.9p-V Diagrams
4.9.10Ideal Gases
4.9.11Ideal Gases 2
4.9.12Thermal Energy Transfer
4.9.13Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
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