Podcast
Questions and Answers
What effect do beta-adrenergic blocking agents have on heart rate and cardiac output?
What effect do beta-adrenergic blocking agents have on heart rate and cardiac output?
Which class of medication primarily inhibits calcium movement to affect blood pressure?
Which class of medication primarily inhibits calcium movement to affect blood pressure?
Which of the following lifestyle changes is NOT recommended after a CVD risk assessment?
Which of the following lifestyle changes is NOT recommended after a CVD risk assessment?
How often are individuals aged 40-74 invited for a free health check to assess CVD risk in England?
How often are individuals aged 40-74 invited for a free health check to assess CVD risk in England?
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Which medication class is used to relieve the heart's workload by lowering blood volume?
Which medication class is used to relieve the heart's workload by lowering blood volume?
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What condition is NOT caused by atherosclerosis?
What condition is NOT caused by atherosclerosis?
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Which group has the highest risk of dying early from heart disease and stroke?
Which group has the highest risk of dying early from heart disease and stroke?
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Which of the following is a non-modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
Which of the following is a non-modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
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What percentage of first heart attack cases is due to modifiable risk factors?
What percentage of first heart attack cases is due to modifiable risk factors?
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Which of the following ethnic backgrounds is associated with a lower risk of CVD?
Which of the following ethnic backgrounds is associated with a lower risk of CVD?
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Coronary heart disease includes which of the following conditions?
Coronary heart disease includes which of the following conditions?
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Which factor is considered a modifiable risk factor for CVD?
Which factor is considered a modifiable risk factor for CVD?
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What is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide?
What is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide?
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Which of the following comorbidities is NOT linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
Which of the following comorbidities is NOT linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
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What is the purpose of the HA2DS2-VASc Score?
What is the purpose of the HA2DS2-VASc Score?
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Which cardiovascular condition is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve?
Which cardiovascular condition is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve?
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Which treatment is not commonly recommended for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Which treatment is not commonly recommended for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
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What is a common symptom of aortic valve stenosis?
What is a common symptom of aortic valve stenosis?
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Which of these factors is NOT considered a risk factor for heart failure?
Which of these factors is NOT considered a risk factor for heart failure?
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Which type of cardiomyopathy is primarily inherited?
Which type of cardiomyopathy is primarily inherited?
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What is the primary characteristic of dilated cardiomyopathy?
What is the primary characteristic of dilated cardiomyopathy?
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Which treatment is recommended for aortic valve stenosis?
Which treatment is recommended for aortic valve stenosis?
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What is the most probable consequence of untreated aortic valve stenosis after symptoms develop?
What is the most probable consequence of untreated aortic valve stenosis after symptoms develop?
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Which scoring system is used to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease events in adults?
Which scoring system is used to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease events in adults?
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Which of the following conditions is associated with electrical defects leading to heart issues?
Which of the following conditions is associated with electrical defects leading to heart issues?
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What is the significance of an ejection fraction below 50%?
What is the significance of an ejection fraction below 50%?
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Study Notes
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- CVD encompasses various heart and blood vessel conditions, primarily caused by blood clots (thrombosis) or atherosclerosis.
- Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup in arteries, leading to hardening and narrowing, restricting blood flow.
- Major CVD types include coronary heart disease (angina, myocardial infarction), stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and peripheral arterial disease.
Statistics
- CVD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally.
- Approximately one in three deaths are related to CVD.
- The NHS spends over £29 billion annually managing CVD.
- CVD impact varies regionally due to different lifestyles, healthcare availability, and living standards.
Risk Factors
-
Non-modifiable:
- Age: Risk increases significantly after 50.
- Gender: Men generally develop CVD earlier and at higher rates than women.
- Family history: Shared genetics and environment contribute to increased risk.
- Ethnicity: Some ethnic groups (e.g., South Asian, sub-Saharan African) have higher risks, while others (e.g., South American, Chinese) have lower risks compared to those of European descent.
-
Modifiable:
- Smoking
- Low HDL cholesterol
- High non-HDL cholesterol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Overweight/obesity.
- 90% of first heart attacks are due to modifiable factors.
- Women over age 55 and consuming 5 or less units of alcohol weekly are safer than others.
Comorbidities Increasing CVD Risk
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus/prediabetes/metabolic syndrome
- Chronic kidney disease
- Dyslipidemia (familial & non-familial; some medications increase it)
- Atrial fibrillation
- Systemic inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Influenza
- Serious mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, PTSD; anxiety independently increases risk of CAD)
- Periodontitis
CVD Risk Evaluation
- HA2DS2-VASc score assesses stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients, informing anticoagulation decisions.
- QRISK 3-2018 estimates CVD risk (heart attack, stroke) in 10 years for adults.
CVD Prevention & Management
- National health checks available for 40-74 year olds (without CVD/diabetes/CKD) include CVD risk assessment, alcohol assessment, physical activity, cholesterol, BMI, dementia screening (65+), and screenings for diabetes and CKD.
- Lifestyle advice (smoking cessation, weight loss, healthy diet, moderate alcohol, physical activity) is recommended for all, regardless of risk score.
Specific CVD Conditions
Aortic Valve Stenosis
- Progressive narrowing/stiffening/thickening (calcification) of the aortic valve.
- Normal valve area: 3.5-4 cm².Critical stenosis <0.8cm².
- Symptoms: chest pain (angina), fatigue, syncope, heart failure.
- Risk factors: old age, past heart disease, infection, degeneration, radiation, chronic kidney disease (CKD), other CVD risk factors.
- Treatment: aortic valve replacement.
- Complications: heart failure, arrhythmias, blood clots, bleeding, endocarditis, stroke, death.
Cardiomyopathies
- Diseases of the heart muscle, inherited or acquired, impacting heart function.
- Types:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Thickened heart muscle. Inherited (autosomal dominant), often via mutation of sarcomere proteins (e.g., β-myosin heavy chain).
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): Enlarged, thin, floppy heart muscle. Inherited or acquired.
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC): Genetic with abnormalities affecting myocyte adhesion (desmosomes).
- Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Stress-induced, not inherited, often resolves.
Heart Failure
- Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood.
- Ejection fraction below 50% indicates heart failure.
- Thickened muscle reduces ejection space.
- Causes: obesity, CKD, sleep apnea, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attacks ,valve disease, myocarditis, congenital issues, family history.
Management - Treatments
-
Pharmacotherapy:
- Statins for cholesterol lowering; recommended for >20% 10-year CVD risk.
- Beta-blockers that decrease heart rate and blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers reducing heart workload through influencing calcium movement.
- Diuretics that reduce blood volume and pressure.
- Vasodilators (ACE inhibitors, ARBs).
- Positive inotropes (digitalis)
-
Other:
- Anti-coagulants(warfarin, DOACs) prevent blood clots; thrombolytics dissolve clots; anti-platelets reduce platelet aggregation
- Anti-arrhythmic drugs for irregularity
- Ablation, cardiac resynchronization therapy (pacemakers/implants)
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Description
This quiz covers essential information about cardiovascular diseases, including their types, statistics, and risk factors. Learn about the impact of lifestyle, healthcare differences, and non-modifiable elements like age and gender on heart health. Test your knowledge and awareness of this critical health issue.