Disease of the Arteries and Veins

How can atherosclerosis clinically manifest in medium sized arteries such as coronary and cerebral arteries?

• Coronary arteries → Heart attack

• Cerebral arteries → Stroke

How can atherosclerosis clinically manifest in large vessels such as the aorta?

• Aorta → thrombus formation and aneurysm

At what values does hypertension occur in systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

• Systolic: more than 130 mmHG

• Diastolic: more than 80 mmHG

What are the two categories of hypertension?

Hypertension categories:

1. Primary

2. Secondary

What causes primary hypertension?

Primary hypertension is usually caused by a combination of genetics and the environment

What other factors can increase blood pressure?

1. Sympathetic nervous system

2. Overactivity of RAAS

3. Chronic inflammation

What blood tests and measurements can be done to exclude secondary hypertension?

CUBE

• Complete Blood Count

• Urinalysis

• Blood Chemistry

• ECG

Why is hypertension called the silent disease / killer?

Because early stages of hypertension are asymptomatic

When do most hypertension clinical manifestations become evident?

When damage to other organs and systems occur

What diseases can sustained hypertension cause?

Sustained hypertension can cause:

• Coronary artery disease

• Kidney disease

• CNS Dysfunction

What medication is used for hypertension?

ACE inhibitors is an example of a medication used for hypertension

What are the two classifications used for hypertension during pregnancy?

1. Pre-existing: before pregnancy

2. Gestational: after pregnancy

Why would hypertension develop during pregnancy?

A decrease in placental blood flow can lead to the release of toxic compounds

What disorder can develop as a result of hypertension during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia can develop as a result of hypertension

What can preeclampsia lead to?

Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia

What is eclampsia?

Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures and coma in a pregnant or postpartum woman

What is Orthostatic Hypotension? What does it cause?

Orthostatic Hypotension is the decrease in blood pressure within 3 minutes of standing, causing dizziness and fainting

What usually causes Orthostatic Hypertension?

Orthostatic Hypertension is usually caused by medications such as antihypertensives

How is Orthostatic Hypertension treated?

Through the removal of antihypertensives or sitting up gradually

What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm is when the blood vessel wall bulges outward like a balloon

What causes aneurysms?

Atherosclerosis and hypertension causes aneurysms

What is a thrombus vs embolus?

• Thrombus: stationary blood clot

• Embolus: moving blood clot

What do arterial emboli cause?

Arterial emboli causes MI

What do pulmonary emboli cause?

Pulmonary emboli causes deep vein thrombosis

What are Varicose veins?

Varicose veins are when blood has pooled in the veins, causing them to become enlarged

Describe the steps of how Varicose Veins develop

1. A valve in the vein becomes damaged

2. This causes the vein to swell and edema develops around the surrounding tissue

3. This can damage remaining valves in the vein

Do varicose veins usually occur in external or deep veins?

Varicose veins usually occur in external veins as they have less support

What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency? What does it cause?

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is when blood has difficulty returning from the legs to the heart over a long time period, causing blood to pool in the veins

What happens when an individual with CVI experiences trauma?

Trauma can cause necrosis (stasis ulcer) and infection in someone with CVI

What is Deep Venous Thrombosis?

DVT is the development of a thrombus in a deep vein

What are is a possible risk factor that can increase the chance of DVT?

Risk factor: Immobility due to injury

Describe the steps of how DVT Develops

1. Clotting factors and platelets form a thrombus

2. Inflammation occurs around the thrombus, attracting platelets and causing it to grow

3. Thrombus is usually asymptomatic

If a thrombus breaks off in DVT, what does it risk?

A thrombus breaking off in DVT risks pulmonary embolism