4.4 Helping The Heart Flashcards
What causes leaky valves in the heart?
Heart valves become stiff or do not open fully making the heart less efficient.
What are the two types of heart valve replacements?
Mechanical valves and biological valves (from animals like pigs or cattle).
How long do biological heart valves typically last?
About 12–15 years.
What is an artificial pacemaker used for?
It corrects irregularities in heart rhythm by sending electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to beat properly.
Where is the natural pacemaker of the heart located?
In the right atrium.
What is the average resting heart rate controlled by the natural pacemaker?
Around 70 beats per minute.
What can happen if the heart beats too slowly?
The person will not get enough oxygen leading to potential collapse.
How much do artificial pacemakers weigh?
Between 20 and 50 grams.
How do modern pacemakers adjust the heart rate during exercise?
They can sense body needs and stimulate the heart to beat faster.
What does an artificial heart do?
It keeps the heart beating to maintain blood circulation while a person waits for a heart transplant or for their own heart to rest.
Why might a patient need an artificial heart?
Their heart may fail or they may be waiting for a heart transplant.
What is a risk associated with artificial hearts?
Blood clotting which can lead to strokes.
What was special about the first UK patient to receive an artificial heart?
Matthew Green went home with an artificial heart in a backpack before receiving a transplant.
What is one challenge with using artificial hearts?
They are expensive and resources are needed to develop them.
What are two ways in which artificial hearts are used?
To replace a failing heart or to give a diseased heart time to rest.
Describe how an artificial pacemaker is positioned in the body.
It is placed under the skin of the chest with wires running to the heart.
What are the advantages of mechanical heart valves?
They last a long time, cheaper, lightweight
What are the advantages of biological heart valves?
No mediciation
Strong and flexible
How do doctors solve the problem of a heart beating too fast or too slowly?
By fitting an artificial pacemaker that sends electrical impulses to control heart rhythm.
What type of valve replacement requires taking medication to prevent blood clots?
Mechanical heart valves.
Disadvantages of mechanical heart valve
Medicine every day
Could develop blood clots
Stroke or heart attack
Disadvantages of Biological heart valve
Lasts for a shorter amount of time (12-15)
advantages of artificial pacemakers
lightweight
short recovery time
increase quality and lenght of life
disadvantages of articial hearts
-need a lot of machinery to keep them working
-risk of blood clotting
-expensive
