Coronary heart disease

Question 1

What is coronary heart disease?

Answer 1

Non communicable disease
Coronary arteries become blocked by a build up of fatty material in the artery wall.
Reduces amount of blood delivered to the heart tissue
lack of oxygen causes heart cells to die

Question 2

What is a stent?

Answer 2

Metal mesh tube

Question 3

What is a stent used for?

Answer 3

Inserted into a blocked artery.
Pushed against the artery wall by inflating a balloon
Increases the lumen of the artery
Allows more blood (glucose and oxygen) to reach the heart muscle

Question 4

What are the advantages of having a stent fitted?

Answer 4

Can be inserted without a general anaesthetic
Quick recovery time
Lower risk of heart attack

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of having a stent fitted?

Answer 5

Risk of infection after the operation

Risk of blood clots at the site of the stent

Question 6

What are statins?

Answer 6

Drugs which reduce the level of LDL cholesteorl which can cause coronary heart disease

Question 7

What are the advantages of taking statins?

Answer 7

Reduce risk of stroke
Reduce risk of heart attack
Increase levels of HDL cholesterol

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of taking statins?

Answer 8

Have to be taken continuously
May have side effects
Takes time to have an effect

Question 9

What are the consequences of leaky heart valves?

Answer 9

Blood flows in the wrong direction
Patients become breathless
Causes death

Question 10

What types of valves can replace leaky valves?

Answer 10

Mechanical- made of metal or polmers

Biological - taken from animals and sometimes humans

Question 11

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical valves?

Answer 11

Advantages
Last a long time
Disadvantages
Need to take medication to prevent blood clots

Question 12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological valves?

Answer 12

Advantages
Work well
Disadvantages
Only last for 12-15 years

Question 13

What is the purpose of a mechanical heart?

Answer 13

Artificial heart which supports a patients heart while they wait for a suitable heart donation

Question 14

What are the advantages of using a mechanical heart

Answer 14

Less like to be rejected by the immune system
Allows damaged heart to rest to help recovery
Keeps you alive until a transplant is available

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of using a mechanical heart

Answer 15

Risk of infection due to surgery
Risk of blood clots
Need to take blood thinning drugs
Drugs may have side effects

Question 16

How does diet, smoking and exercise affect the development of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 16

Fatty diet increases chance of cardiovascular disease

high levels of LDL cholesterol causes arteries to become blocked, increasing blood pressure and risk of a heart attack

Question 17

How does smoking affect the development of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 17

Smoking increases chance of cardiovascular disease
Nicotine increase heart rate
Other chemicals in smoke damage artery lining and increase blood pressure
Increases blood pressure putting more strain on the heart

Question 18

How does exercise affect the development of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 18

Exercise lowers chance of cardiovascular disease
Lowers blood pressure
Increases efficiency of the heart and lungs
Reduces strain on the heart