B4 Flashcards
What are statins?
Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of lipids or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood by slowing the production in the liver.
What is a CVD (just for reference)?
A cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a heart disease.
What are stents?
A stent is a metal mesh balloon placed in the artery. Stents help prevent blocked arteries. The balloon and stent are placed into the artery and the balloon inflates and the stent placed around it. When the balloon is deflated, the stent remains and allows blood to flow through while supporting the artery.
What are leaky valves?
When you have leaky valves, it is often called regurgitation. It can be detected by its symptoms, scans, and listening to the heart. Symptoms include shortness of breath and swelling. Artificial valves can either be mechanical, biological, or tissue engineered.
What are artificial pacemakers?
Average heartbeat of resting adult human is 120 per second. A group if cells in your right atrium cause the beat. If the heartbeat is too slow, not enough oxygen will be produced; if too fast, the blood will not be pumped properly. An artificial pacemaker regulated these cells, they weigh a maximum of 50g and have two wires connected to the heart. It sends electrical signals to imitate a proper heartbeat.
What are artificial hearts?
When a heart completely fails, a donour heart is needed to be transplanted. Although permanent replacement with a machine is a long way off, scientists have developed temporary hearts to support patients until their hearts are replaced. If someone needs their heart replaced, they need a donour heart with a tissue match (similar to their body).
Pros and cons of statins.
Satins decrease the amount of LDL in the blood reducing the chance of the supply of blood to the heart and other organs being blocked. There are usually no side effects but can interact with other medicines or some foods. It is also possible for the patient to experience diarrhoea or a headache or worse.
Pros and cons of stents.
It is very useful and efficient at stopping fat in the coronary artery but it is very expensive and could be dangerous if it goes wrong.
Pros and cons of leaky valve medication.
These medications help stop leaky valves and allow for easier blood flow but can damage blood or cause blood clots.
Pros and cons of artificial pacemakers.
It corrects the bad heartbeat, and with new technology, during excercise it can simulate a faster heartbeat. However, you will need regular medical checkups.
Pros and cons of artificial hearts.
They can be portable but not often. Temporary hearts can keep patients alive for up to two years until a donour heart is available. They can also help a diseased heart and give it rest so that it can recover. It is very expensive and requires a lot of resources. Since you need a tissue match, many people die before their hearts can be replaces. There is also a risk of blood clotting.
What is the role of arteries?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the organs of the body.
What do arteries look like?
Arteries have thick walla containing muscle and elastic fibres. Arteries stretch as blood is forced through them and go back into shape afterwards.
What is the role of veins?
The veins carry blood away from the organs towards your heart.
What do veins look like?
Veins have thin walls but a large lumen (hole for blood) and have valves that open and close to allow blood to be pumped by skeletal muscles as veins do not have a pulse.
