6.6 Treating CHD Flashcards
A number of different kinds of medication can be use to treat CHD are…
STATINS - drugs used to lower blood cholesterol levels
GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) - treats angina pains, can be used as a table or a spray. Advised to take a dose when required. Medication placed under the tongue and is absorbed quickly into the blood. By relaxing the blood vessels which increases the diameter of the coronary arteries. People with angina are recommended to take a dose of GTN before exercise
BETA-BLOCKERS
Are used to treat hypertension. The sympathetic nerve releases the neurotransmitter, noradrenalin into receptors at the SAN - this causes the SAN to and out impulses more quickly. Beta blockers fit into these receptors on the heart muscle- meaning noradrenalin cannot fit into the receptors, so the heart rate cannot increase, by slowing the HR, BP is reduced
Angina can be treated using…
Angioplasty
Doctors first need to find out…
How much atheroma has built up in the coronary arteries.
To see how much atheroma has built up an…
Angiogram is carried out
An angiogram is…
A special dye is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, arm or neck. Then radiographs are taken as the blood flows through the coronary arteries
If the arteries are blocked it is likely that an…
Angioplasty will be carried out
An angioplasty is…
A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, arm or neck.
The catheter is then threaded through the blood vessels until it reaches the blockage in the coronary artery.
Inside the catheter is a tiny balloon
When the balloon inflates it pushes the artery wall outwards and makes the artery wider
Sometimes a tiny mesh tube called a STENT is used
This holds the artery open and reduces the chance of it closing up again
The balloon is then deflated and the catheter withdrawn
If the coronary artery is so badly blocked then angioplasty cannot be used, instead a…
Bypass operation is carrie out
A coronary bypass is…
A piece of vein is taken, usually from the person’s leg.
This is then grafted on to the other end.
This makes sure that oxygenated blood can reach all of the heart muscle.
Sometimes more than one bypass has to be carried out.
