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The picture shows a man having his blood pressure measured - Scottish Highers Human Biology - Question 6 - 2017
Question 6
The picture shows a man having his blood pressure measured. (a) A blood pressure reading consists of a high systolic value and a lower diastolic value. Explain the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The picture shows a man having his blood pressure measured - Scottish Highers Human Biology - Question 6 - 2017
Step 1
Explain the difference between these two values.
Answer
Systolic pressure is the higher value that represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and contracts, pumping blood. In contrast, diastolic pressure is the lower value that indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
Step 2
Step 3
Explain how atherosclerosis could have caused this high blood pressure.
Answer
Atherosclerosis can cause high blood pressure by leading to the buildup of fatty materials, cholesterol, or fibrous materials in the arteries. This narrowing of the artery lumen increases resistance to blood flow, resulting in higher blood pressure.
Step 4
Describe how this may have contributed to atherosclerosis.
Answer
A lower HDL to LDL ratio indicates a higher level of bad cholesterol (LDL) relative to good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. High LDL levels can lead to cholesterol accumulation in the arterial walls, promoting atherosclerosis by creating plaques that narrow and harden the arteries.