Coronary heart disease (CHD and treatments Flashcards
what is CHD?
CHD is any condition that affects the coronary arteries
In CHD fatty material builds up inside the coronary arteries.This causes them to narrow so its harder for blood to flow through them.
what factors could increase the chance of CHD?
-diet
-blood cholesterol
-cigarettes/smoking
-high blood pressure
what are some treatments?
-stents
-statins
-artificial valves
-artificial pacemakers
-heart transplant
-artificial heart
what is a stent?
a stent is a mesh tube which is inserted into the artery on an uninflated baloon.Once in the right place it is inflated so the stent is now pushing open the walls of the artery.The baloon is then removed leaving a widened artery where blood can flow through easier.
what are statins?
statins are drugs which work to lower cholesterol and reduce the rate at which fatty materials are being deposited.
what are artificial valves?
there are two types of artificial valves biological and mechanical valves. They are used to replace someones damaged valves. Mechanical valves last the rest of your life but you have to take medicine to stop blood from clotting around it.
Biological valves are taken from pigs or cattle and workk very well. You dont need to take medicine for these but they only last for 15 years.
what are artificial pacemakers?
an electrical device used to correct irregularities in the heart rate. It is implanted into the chest and attatched to the heart by two wires.IT sends strong regular electrical signals to your heart that stimulates it to beat properly.
what is a heart transplant?
a traumatic operation where the recipients damaged or failing heart is replaced and must take drugs to surpress there immune system and prevent rejection. There is a shortage of donor hearts and each operation carries risk of infection.
what is a heart transplant?
a traumatic operation where the recipients damaged or failing heart is replaced and must take drugs to surpress there immune system and prevent rejection. There is a shortage of donor hearts and each operation carries risk of infection.
what is an artificial heart?
a temporary treatment which helps people whos heart has completely failed or give a diseased heart a rest and time to heel. It uses air pressure to pump blood around the body.
