CHD Flashcards
What does CHD stand for?
Coronary Heart Disease
How is CHD corrected?
It can be fixed with a stent, a stent is a metal mesh that is placed in the artery. A tiny balloon is inflated inside the stent to open it up and when the balloon is deflated the stent will stay open and allow the blood to flow smoothly again.
What are the advantages of having a stent fitted?
Can be placed without being put under general anaesthetic. Can open any blocked artery in the body.
What are the disadvantages of having a stent fitted?
The stent can cause blood clots, so to prevent a blood clot you will have to take medicine for a long time after.
What happens in CHD?
In CHD, fat builds up in the lumen of the coronary artery. When the fatty deposits build up in the lumen the lumen walls become thicker and the coronary artery becomes thinner. This causes less blood to travel through the artery. Less blood equals less oxygen causing less aerobic respiration. If cells respire anaerobically, lactic acid will be produced which is poisonous to the heart muscle cell, when they are poisoned the cells will die causing a heart attack.
