The Heart ORGANISING ANIMALS AND PLANTS Flashcards
What vein brings the blood into your right atrium?
The vena cava.
What vein carries blood into your left atrium?
Pulmonary vein.
Where does the right ventricle force the blood?
To the lungs in the pulmonary artery.
Where does the left ventricle pump the blood?
Around the body in a big artery called the aorta.
Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than the wall of the right ventricle?
The left ventricle needs enough force to pump the blood around your whole body. The right ventricle only needs to pump the blood to the lungs which is nearer.
How is coronary heart disease caused?
There is a buildup of fatty material on the lining of the vessels. If the blood flow through through the coronary arteries is reduced, the supply of oxygen to the heart muscles is also reduced. This means the heart has to repaired anorobically instead. This produces lactic acid which kills the heart muscles.
How can coronary heart disease be solved?
A stent. This is a metal mesh that is placed in the artery. A tiny balloon is inflated to open up the blood vessel and the stent at the same time. The ballon is deflated and removed but the mesh remains. This holds the blood vessel open.
How can bypass surgery prevent coronary heart disease?
They replace the narrow or blocked coronary artery with bits of veins from other parts of the body. This is needed where stents cannot help as the artery is badly blocked. However it is expensive and involves risks associated with a general anaesthetic.
What can doctors prescribe to prevent people from getting cardiovascular diseases?
Statins. They reduce blood cholesterol levels and this slows down the rate at which fatty material is deposited in the coronary arteries.
What is a leaky valve?
Heart valves have to withstand a lot of pressure. Over time they may start to leak or become stiff and not open fully.
What can be done to help leaky valves?
Leaky heart valves can be replaced.
Mechanical valves can be made of materials such as titanium and polymers. With these, you need to take medicines for the rest of your life to prevent your blood from clotting around it.
Biological valves taken from animals can be used, or from human donors. They work very well, however they only last around 12-15 years.
What is an artificial pass maker?
The resting rhythm of the heart is around 70 beats per minute. It is controlled by the natural pacemaker is found in the right atrium of your heart. If it stops working, your heart may beat too slow (meaning the person won’t get enough oxygen) or too quickly (meaning it can’t pump blood properly).
An artificial pace maker solves this. It is in the sinus node and it sends electrical impulses through the hearts muscles. This makes the heart contract therefore pumping blood through its body. It is found in the upper right atrium.
What is an artificial heart?
They are temporary hearts that support you heart until it can be replaced. They can also give a diseased heart a chance to rest.
Risks-blood clotting
Pros-gives people a chance to live normally.
