Coronary Heart Disease & Strokes Flashcards
What is Coronary heart disease (CHD)?
CHD, also known as ischemic heart disease, occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to a build-up of fatty deposits called atheroma (atherosclerosis).
Describe the symptoms of CHD
Symptoms include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, pain throughout the body, fainting, and nausea.
What is myocardial infarction, and how does it occur?
Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked, starving the heart muscle cells of oxygen and glucose.
Explain the impact of CHD on physical health
Physical impacts include chest pain, shortness of breath, reduced heart efficiency, and risk of myocardial infarction if left untreated.
How does CHD affect mental health?
Mental health impacts include anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, and stress due to lifestyle changes and health complications.
Identify the main risk factors for CHD
Risk factors include hypertension, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high cholesterol, diabetes, age, sex, genetic factors, and ethnicity.
How does smoking contribute to CHD?
Smoking constricts arteries, raises blood pressure, and damages the lungs, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and CHD.
Describe how statins work to treat CHD
Statins lower cholesterol production in the liver, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and the risk of atherosclerosis.
What are the side effects of Statins?
Side effects of statins include headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
What is the purpose of beta blockers in CHD treatment?
Beta blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure by opposing adrenaline’s effect on the sinoatrial node.
List lifestyle changes recommended to manage CHD
Lifestyle changes include reducing salt and saturated fat intake, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
What is angioplasty, and how does it help in CHD?
Angioplasty uses a small balloon to widen a narrowed artery, followed by inserting a stent to keep the artery open.
Explain coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
CABG involves using a blood vessel from another part of the body to create an alternate pathway, restoring blood flow to the heart muscle.
What are the challenges of heart transplant surgery for CHD?
Challenges include long waitlists, the risk of organ rejection, and the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs.
How is a myocardial infarction treated immediately?
Aspirin is given to thin the blood, and further treatments include clot-dissolving medicines or angioplasty to restore blood flow.
How does hypertension increase the risk of CHD?
Hypertension thickens artery walls, reduces the lumen diameter, and damages the lining, promoting atheroma formation.
What are the mental and emotional challenges faced by CHD patients?
Patients may experience anxiety, depression, and stress due to pain, lifestyle changes, and the fear of complications.
Describe the role of blood-thinning medications in CHD treatment
Blood thinners, like warfarin, reduce the risk of thrombosis by preventing blood clots but may cause excessive bleeding.
what is atheroma, and how does it lead to atherosclerosis?
Atheroma is a fatty deposit that builds up in artery walls, narrowing them and reducing blood flow, leading to atherosclerosis.
Why is the early treatment for CHD essential?
Early treatment reduces the risk of complications like myocardial infarction and improves both physical and mental health outcomes.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.
What are the main types of strokes?
The main types are ischemic stroke (blocked artery), hemorrhagic stroke (blood vessel burst), and transient ischemic attack (TIA, temporary blockage).
What is an ischemic stroke?
It occurs when a blood clot or other obstruction blocks a blood vessel supplying the brain.
Describe a hemorrhagic stroke
It happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding and pressure on brain tissues.
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often called a “mini-stroke.”
What are common causes of strokes?
Causes include thrombosis, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and aneurysms.
What is the FAST method for recognising stoke symptoms
FAST stands for:
Face drooping: One side of the face droops or feels numb.
Arm weakness: One arm is weak or numb.
Speech difficulty: Trouble speaking or understanding.
Time: Call emergency services immediately.
List the key risk factors for a stroke
Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, lifestyle choices, and a family history of stroke or heart disease.
How is a stroke diagnosed?
Diagnosis is typically done using a CT or MRI scan to identify the type and location of the stroke, along with blood tests and angiograms.
What medications are used in stroke treatment?
Medications are used to dissolve blood clots, control bleeding, and reduce brain pressure.
What surgical options are available for stroke treatment?
Surgery may be performed to control bleeding or reduce pressure on the brain caused by hemorrhagic strokes.
How can strokes be prevented?
Prevention includes controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and taking medications for at-risk individuals.
How does high blood pressure contribute to strokes?
High blood pressure damages blood vessel walls, increasing the risk of blockages or rupture leading to strokes.
what role does atherosclerosis play in stroke development?
Atherosclerosis causes fatty deposits in arteries, narrowing them and increasing the risk of blockages leading to ischemic strokes.
why is immediate medical attention critical during a stroke?
Quick treatment can minimize brain damage, improve recovery chances, and prevent severe complications.
what is an aneurysm, and how does it relate to strokes?
An aneurysm is a weakened area in a blood vessel wall that can burst, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke.
How can lifestyle changes reduce stroke risk?
Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight can lower the risk of stroke.
What is the role of blood-thinning medications in stroke prevention?
Blood thinners reduce the risk of clot formation, helping prevent ischemic strokes.
