NURS 5434 CAD & Lipids Study Guide | Questions & Answers |
Latest Updated 2026 – University of Texas, Arlington
Define the epidemiology of ASCVD with an emphasis on gender differences.
• 11.5% of non-Hispanic white adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 9.5% of non-Hispanic black adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 7.4% of Hispanic adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 6.0% of non-Hispanic Asian adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• Men
o Heart disease is leading cause of death for men in US….1 in every 4 male
deaths
o 1 in 13 white men and 1 in 14 black men have CAD; 1 in 17 Hispanic men
have CAD
o Half of men who die suddenly of CAD had no previous symptoms
• Women
o Heart disease is leading cause of death in women in US…1 in every 5
deaths
o Heart disease is leading cause of death for African American and white
women in US….the others it is either tied with cancer or 2nd to cancer
o 1 in 16 age 20 and older have CAD (white, black, and Hispanic)
o 1 in 30 in asian women
o 64% of women who died suddenly of CAD had no previous symptoms
ASCVD, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, refers to the buildup of plaque in the arteries
that supply blood to the heart and brain, leading to heart attack and stroke. Epidemiological
studies have shown that ASCVD is more prevalent in men than women, with men having a higher
incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, women with ASCVD have higher
mortality rates than men, and they also tend to develop ASCVD at an older age than men.
Hormonal factors, such as estrogen, may play a role in this gender difference.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, also known as ASCVD, is a disorder that is defined by the
development of plaque in the arteries, which may lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other
events that involve the cardiovascular system. Epidemiology studies have indicated that ASCVD is
more prevalent in men than in women. Moreover, males experience the illness at a younger age
and have a greater incidence of it than women do at the same age. It is hypothesized that
variations in hormonal and metabolic processes, as well as variances in lifestyle factors such as
smoking and physical exercise, are responsible for this gender disparity. Complications during
pregnancy and menopause are two examples of women-specific risk factors for atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which may have an adverse effect on a woman's cardiovascular
health. It is essential for the development of efficient preventive and treatment strategies to
have a solid understanding of the epidemiology of ASCVD, including disparities between the
sexes.
,Describe the role of inflammation in the development of ASCVD.
• A plaque is unstable due to inflammation. Statins stabilize and harden plaques,
especially t the lesion shoulders
• Other interventions to decrease inflammation include aspirin?, smoking
cessation, exercise, MUFAs
Inflammation is a key factor in the development of ASCVD. Chronic inflammation leads to the
activation of immune cells, which can cause damage to the arterial walls and promote the
formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Inflammation markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive
protein (hs-CRP), can be used as a predictor of ASCVD risk. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as canakinumab, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in
patients with a history of ASCVD.
Inflammation plays a significant part in the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD), and chronic inflammation is one factor that contributes to the accumulation of plaque
in the arteries. Inflammatory cells such as macrophages and T-cells may enter the artery wall and
encourage the buildup of lipids, which can lead to the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
This can cause atherosclerotic plaques. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines may promote
inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which can contribute to the
advancement of atherosclerosis. In addition to their ability to decrease cholesterol levels, statins
and PCSK9 inhibitors have anti-inflammatory effects, which has led researchers to believe that
targeting inflammation may be an effective strategy for preventing and treating atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for ASCVD know male and
female ages for premature CVD vs increased risk status based on age
• Modifiable risk factors
o Dyslipidemia (raised LDL, Low HDL, raised TGS)
o Smoking
o Htn
o DM
o Obesity
o Dietary factors
o Thrombogenic factors
o Sedentary lifestyle
• Non-modifiable
o Age: males over 45 and females over 55
o Sex
o Family hx of premature CHD: Males less than 55 and females less than 65
o Definite MI or sudden death
Describe the effect of statins on vulnerable plaques.
, Statins are a class of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of
ASCVD. They have been shown to stabilize vulnerable plaques, which are more prone to rupture
and cause heart attacks. Statins can also reduce inflammation in the arterial walls, which may
contribute to their beneficial effects on ASCVD risk.
Statins are a family of medications that are often used to decrease levels of LDL cholesterol and
to minimize the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are able to exert
their positive benefits in a number of ways, one of which is by stabilizing susceptible plaques.
Vulnerable plaques are more prone to rupture, which may lead to cardiovascular events. Plaques
that are susceptible to rupture have a little amount of fibrous cap, a significant amount of lipid in
their center, and an abundance of inflammatory cells. Statins may help stabilize these plaques by
lowering inflammation, lowering lipid accumulation, and stimulating the formation of collagen
and other extracellular matrix proteins. These are the three main mechanisms by which statins
work. This lowers the likelihood of plaque rupturing, which in turn lowers the risk of future
cardiovascular events.
Differentiate between directing therapy to "global risk for ASCVD" vs. "LDL targets".
• Managing global CVD includes
o HTN control
o Tobacco cessation
o Lifestyle to goal. Especially weight and exercise
o Healthy diet
o Stress management
Global risk assessment takes into account multiple risk factors for ASCVD, including age, sex,
blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and diabetes status, to estimate an
individual's overall risk of developing ASCVD. Treatment recommendations are then based on
this estimated risk. LDL targets, on the other hand, focus specifically on lowering LDL cholesterol
levels to a certain target value, regardless of an individual's overall risk of ASCVD. While LDL
targets have been used in the past, current guidelines emphasize the use of global risk
assessment to guide treatment decisions.
"Directing therapy to "global risk for ASCVD" refers to a strategy that takes into account an
individual's overall risk of developing ASCVD based on multiple risk factors, including age, sex,
blood pressure, smoking status, and lipid levels. This strategy takes into account an individual's
overall risk of developing ASCVD based on multiple risk factors. This method takes into account
the individual's overall risk rather than concentrating exclusively on LDL cholesterol objectives,
which may not be the best course of action for every single person. For instance, some people
with extremely high LDL cholesterol levels might not be at a high risk for ASCVD if they also have
other risk factors that work in their favor, whereas other people with lower LDL cholesterol levels
might still be at a high risk for ASCVD if they have multiple risk factors that work against them.
Latest Updated 2026 – University of Texas, Arlington
Define the epidemiology of ASCVD with an emphasis on gender differences.
• 11.5% of non-Hispanic white adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 9.5% of non-Hispanic black adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 7.4% of Hispanic adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• 6.0% of non-Hispanic Asian adults aged 18 and over had heart disease
• Men
o Heart disease is leading cause of death for men in US….1 in every 4 male
deaths
o 1 in 13 white men and 1 in 14 black men have CAD; 1 in 17 Hispanic men
have CAD
o Half of men who die suddenly of CAD had no previous symptoms
• Women
o Heart disease is leading cause of death in women in US…1 in every 5
deaths
o Heart disease is leading cause of death for African American and white
women in US….the others it is either tied with cancer or 2nd to cancer
o 1 in 16 age 20 and older have CAD (white, black, and Hispanic)
o 1 in 30 in asian women
o 64% of women who died suddenly of CAD had no previous symptoms
ASCVD, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, refers to the buildup of plaque in the arteries
that supply blood to the heart and brain, leading to heart attack and stroke. Epidemiological
studies have shown that ASCVD is more prevalent in men than women, with men having a higher
incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, women with ASCVD have higher
mortality rates than men, and they also tend to develop ASCVD at an older age than men.
Hormonal factors, such as estrogen, may play a role in this gender difference.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, also known as ASCVD, is a disorder that is defined by the
development of plaque in the arteries, which may lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other
events that involve the cardiovascular system. Epidemiology studies have indicated that ASCVD is
more prevalent in men than in women. Moreover, males experience the illness at a younger age
and have a greater incidence of it than women do at the same age. It is hypothesized that
variations in hormonal and metabolic processes, as well as variances in lifestyle factors such as
smoking and physical exercise, are responsible for this gender disparity. Complications during
pregnancy and menopause are two examples of women-specific risk factors for atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which may have an adverse effect on a woman's cardiovascular
health. It is essential for the development of efficient preventive and treatment strategies to
have a solid understanding of the epidemiology of ASCVD, including disparities between the
sexes.
,Describe the role of inflammation in the development of ASCVD.
• A plaque is unstable due to inflammation. Statins stabilize and harden plaques,
especially t the lesion shoulders
• Other interventions to decrease inflammation include aspirin?, smoking
cessation, exercise, MUFAs
Inflammation is a key factor in the development of ASCVD. Chronic inflammation leads to the
activation of immune cells, which can cause damage to the arterial walls and promote the
formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Inflammation markers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive
protein (hs-CRP), can be used as a predictor of ASCVD risk. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as canakinumab, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in
patients with a history of ASCVD.
Inflammation plays a significant part in the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD), and chronic inflammation is one factor that contributes to the accumulation of plaque
in the arteries. Inflammatory cells such as macrophages and T-cells may enter the artery wall and
encourage the buildup of lipids, which can lead to the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
This can cause atherosclerotic plaques. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines may promote
inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which can contribute to the
advancement of atherosclerosis. In addition to their ability to decrease cholesterol levels, statins
and PCSK9 inhibitors have anti-inflammatory effects, which has led researchers to believe that
targeting inflammation may be an effective strategy for preventing and treating atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for ASCVD know male and
female ages for premature CVD vs increased risk status based on age
• Modifiable risk factors
o Dyslipidemia (raised LDL, Low HDL, raised TGS)
o Smoking
o Htn
o DM
o Obesity
o Dietary factors
o Thrombogenic factors
o Sedentary lifestyle
• Non-modifiable
o Age: males over 45 and females over 55
o Sex
o Family hx of premature CHD: Males less than 55 and females less than 65
o Definite MI or sudden death
Describe the effect of statins on vulnerable plaques.
, Statins are a class of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of
ASCVD. They have been shown to stabilize vulnerable plaques, which are more prone to rupture
and cause heart attacks. Statins can also reduce inflammation in the arterial walls, which may
contribute to their beneficial effects on ASCVD risk.
Statins are a family of medications that are often used to decrease levels of LDL cholesterol and
to minimize the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Statins are able to exert
their positive benefits in a number of ways, one of which is by stabilizing susceptible plaques.
Vulnerable plaques are more prone to rupture, which may lead to cardiovascular events. Plaques
that are susceptible to rupture have a little amount of fibrous cap, a significant amount of lipid in
their center, and an abundance of inflammatory cells. Statins may help stabilize these plaques by
lowering inflammation, lowering lipid accumulation, and stimulating the formation of collagen
and other extracellular matrix proteins. These are the three main mechanisms by which statins
work. This lowers the likelihood of plaque rupturing, which in turn lowers the risk of future
cardiovascular events.
Differentiate between directing therapy to "global risk for ASCVD" vs. "LDL targets".
• Managing global CVD includes
o HTN control
o Tobacco cessation
o Lifestyle to goal. Especially weight and exercise
o Healthy diet
o Stress management
Global risk assessment takes into account multiple risk factors for ASCVD, including age, sex,
blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and diabetes status, to estimate an
individual's overall risk of developing ASCVD. Treatment recommendations are then based on
this estimated risk. LDL targets, on the other hand, focus specifically on lowering LDL cholesterol
levels to a certain target value, regardless of an individual's overall risk of ASCVD. While LDL
targets have been used in the past, current guidelines emphasize the use of global risk
assessment to guide treatment decisions.
"Directing therapy to "global risk for ASCVD" refers to a strategy that takes into account an
individual's overall risk of developing ASCVD based on multiple risk factors, including age, sex,
blood pressure, smoking status, and lipid levels. This strategy takes into account an individual's
overall risk of developing ASCVD based on multiple risk factors. This method takes into account
the individual's overall risk rather than concentrating exclusively on LDL cholesterol objectives,
which may not be the best course of action for every single person. For instance, some people
with extremely high LDL cholesterol levels might not be at a high risk for ASCVD if they also have
other risk factors that work in their favor, whereas other people with lower LDL cholesterol levels
might still be at a high risk for ASCVD if they have multiple risk factors that work against them.
