Cardiovascular Disease
Applied Science: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 4.5.11
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
- 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
- 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
- Atheromas can cause diseases of the heart.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a type of disease that is associated with many atheromas.
Aneurysm & Thrombosis
Atheromas can increase the risk of two types of diseases:
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
- 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
There are certain risk factors that can increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. These include:
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 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 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.
Test yourself on Cardiovascular Disease
Which of the following statements about atheromas are true?
What causes the lumen of arteries to narrow in the formation of an atheroma?
Which of the following statements about aneurysms and thrombosis are true?
What structure of the arteries swells to form an aneurysm?
Which of these is NOT a risk factor that increases the chance of developing cardiovascular disease?