Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
What is coronary heart disease?
When the coronary arteries that supply the blood to muscle of the heart get blocked by layers of fatty material building up.
What happens as a result of coronary heart disease?
Arteries become narrow so blood flow is restricted and there is a lack of oxygen resulting in an heart attack.
What does a stent do?
keeps arteries open so blood can pass through.
What is a negative of stents?
risk of infection from surgery and blood clots (thrombosis)
What is a positive of stents?
effective in long term and recovery time is quick.
What so statins do?
reduce cholesterol in blood.
What happens if there is too much ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood?
cause fatty deposits to form in arteries
Advantages of statins?
reduce risks of strokes, heart attacks and heart disease. increase good cholesterol
Disadvantages of statins?
risk of forgetting to take them. side effects eg. headaches or kidney failure. Effect isn’t instant.
What are artificial hearts?
a device that pumps blood around the body
Advantages of artificial hearts?
less likely to be rejected.
Disadvantages of artificial hearts?
Surgery can lead to infection or bleeding. Electrical motor can fail. drugs have to be taken to thin out blood.
What can a valve in the heart be weakened by?
heart attack, infection or old age.
How can valve damage be treated?
replacing valve from mammals - biological or man-made - mechanical
What is artificial blood?
A blood substitute made from a salt solution.
