Cardiovascular disease

Question 1

What is cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

• Disease related to the blood vessles or heart

Question 2

What is coronary heart disease?

Answer 2

• Build up of fatty materials in coronary arteris
• Lumen is narrowed
• Hear muscle can’t get enough oxygen via blood
• Can lead to heart attack

Question 3

How can coronary heart disease be cured (stents)?

Answer 3

• Stent inserted inside lumen to widen it and hold artery open
• Involves surgery (surgical risk)
• Blood clots could form around stent
• effective for a long time & short recovery time

Question 4

How can coronary heard disease be cured (statins)?

Answer 4

• Statins reduce LDL cholestrol and increase HDL cholestrol
• This prevents the build up of fatty materials
• Medication must be taken regularyly and could have side effects

Question 5

What is a cure for heart failure?

Answer 5

• Heart transplant
• The trasplant heart must usually come from a donor (biological) but if none are available then an artifical heart may be used

Question 6

Why is an artificial heart used?

Answer 6

• Wait for a donor heart to become available
• Give the heart time to rest and heal

Question 7

What is valve failure?

Answer 7

• Heart valves may become too stiff or too loose. This would mean that they won’t let enough blood through or allow backflow of blood
• Cured through valve transplant

Question 8

What are the two types of valves that can be transplanted?

Answer 8

• Biological valve - human or mammal
• Mechanical valve - man made