Animal tissues, organs and system 2 Flashcards
What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle become blocked with a buildup of fatty material. This restricts the supply of oxygen to the heart possible leading to heart attack or death.
What is a stent and how does it work?
A stent is a metal mesh tube that is inserted into a blocked artery so that it remains open. The stent is inflated using a balloon, which is later removed to allow blood to flow freely.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?
Advantages: - Insertion can be carried out without general anaesthetic. - Quick recovery time. - Lower the risk of a heart attack. Disadvantages: - Risk of postoperative infection. - Risk of blood clots at site of stent.
What are statins?
Statins are drugs which reduce the level of LDL (bad cholesterol) which contributes to the development of coronary heart disease.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?
Advantages:
- Reduce risk of strokes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks.
- Increase level of HDL (good) cholesterol.
Disadvantages:
- Have to be taken continuously.
- May have side effects.
- Effects may not be immediate.
What is a heart bypass surgery?
A surgery where blocked coronary arteries are replaces with sections of veins taken from other parts of the body.
What are the consequences of leaky heart valves?
Blood flows in the wrong direction, causing the heart to become less efficient. patients may become breathless and die as a result.
What types of valves can replace leaky valves?
- Mechanical: made of metal or polymers.
- Biological: taken from animals (pigs, sometimes humans).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical valves?
Advantages:
- Last for a long time.
Disadvantages:
- Need to take medication to prevent blood clotting around valve.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological valves?
Advantages:
- Work very well - no medication required.
Disadvantages:
- Only lasts 12-15 years.
What is the purpose of an artificial heart?
Artificial hearts are intended to support a patient’s heart while they wait for a suitable donor heart.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?
Advantages:
- Less likely to be rejected by immune system.
- Allows damaged heart to rest to help recovery.
Disadvantages:
- Risk of infection due to surgery.
- Risk of blood clots.
- Have to take blood-thinning drugs.
What is health?
Health is the state of physical and mental wellbeing.
What is a communicable disease?
A disease caused by a pathogen which can be transmitted from one person to another such as the flu.
What is a non-communicable disease?
A disease which cannot be transmitted from person to person such as cancer.
How can diet affect health?
- Too little food / lack of nutrition - anaemia, vitamin deficiencies.
- Too much food / too much unhealthy food - obesity, type 2 diabetes.
How can stress affect health?
Prolonged stress is linked to a wide range of health problems including heart diseases, cancers and mental health issues.
How can life situations affect health?
Many life factors such as location, gender, financial status, ethnic group and healthcare provision can impact a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Give examples of how health problems can interact
- Infections with certain viruses can lead to cancer such as hepatitis infections leading to liver cancer.
- A compromised immune system such as due to cancer can lead to higher risk of infection with communicable disease.
- Problems with physical health can lead to mental health issues.
What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is an aspect of a person’s lifestyle or a substance found in the body or the environment which can increase the risk of a disease.
What is a causal mechanism?
A mechanism which demonstrates how one factor biologically influences another.
How do diet, smoking and exercise affect the development of cardiovascular disease?
- Diet: high levels of LDL cholesterol causes arteries to become blocked, increasing blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack.
- Smoking: nicotine increases heart rate: other chemicals damage the artery lining and increase blood pressure.
- Exercise: lowers blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart.
How does obesity affect the development of type 2 diabetes?
Obesity is strongly inked with the onset of type 2 diabetes - a disease in which the body stops responding to insulin.
How does alcohol affect liver and brain function?
- Excessive long-term alcohol use may lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
- Increases risk of liver cancer.
- Damages brain tissue and nerve cells.
How does smoking affect the development of lung disease and lung cancer?
- Tar in tobacco can damage the alveoli of the lungs, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Tar also damaged the cells which line the lungs, leading to lung cancer.
How do smoking and alcohol affect unborn babies?
- Carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen the foetus receives, which can lead to premature birth or stillbirth.
- Alcohol passes across the placenta and damages the developing foetus. Once born, the baby may have a number of deformities and health problems as a part of foetal alcohol syndrome.
