B2 - Heart Problems Flashcards
What is the artery that supplies the heart with blood called?
Coronary artery
What is cornonary heart disease (CHD)?
Where fatty deposists narrow the coronary arteries lumen that restrict blood flow and oxygen to the heart (usually self-inflicted)
What are risk factors for coronary heart disease?
- High-fat diet
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
What can you use to help with cornonary heart disease?
- Stents
- Statins
How are stents used to help with CHD?
- A narrow tube is threaded up through the groin/wrist/arm up to the blocked coronary artery
- A tiny ballon is inflated
- The ballon puhes the stent agaisnt the wall of the artery, widening the arterys lumen
* This increases blood flow to the coronary artery
* They last a long time, but there is a risk of blood clots occuring
How are statins used?
Statins are used to reduce the amount of fatty deposits in arteries and stop any more from building up
How does a bypass surgery help with CHD?
It takes a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually chest, leg, or arm) and attaches it to the coronary artery above and/or below the narrowed area/blockage
This new blood vessel is known as a graft. The number of grafts depend on how severe your CHD is and how many coronary blood vessels are narrowed.
How to artificial pacemaskers help CHD?
When peoples heart rate is uncontrolled, pacemakers are fitted under the skin. A wire from a vein goes to the right atrium. It sends electrical impules to control the heartbeat