study of a non-communicable disease: CHD Flashcards
What is CHD?
The narrowing of the blood vessel which supplies blood and oxygen to the cardiac muscle.
What happens to the heart in CHD?
It is the slow build up of fatty deposits on the inner wall of the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood (the coronary arteries). These fatty deposits gradually clog the arteries and reduce the flow of blood to the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis.
Symptoms of CHD:
- ANGINA (chest pain) - this occurs when the blood flow to the heart is partially blocked.
- HEART ATTACKS - when the blood vessels becomes completely blocked
- HEART FAILURE - heart is too weak to pump blood around the body
Management of CHD:
- STATINS - lower cholesterol which thickens the blood
- BETA BLOCKERS - reduce the stress on the heart
- ASPIRIN- thins the blood
Treatment of CHD
ANGIOPLASTY AND STENT INSERTION - done within 24 hours of positive ECG results under a local anaesthetic
BYPASS GRAFT - if the blockages are too extensive then artificial arteries are put in whick bypass the affected areas - conducted under general anaesthetic.
Prevention strategies
LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
- stop smoking
- healthy eating
- exercise and fitness
Policies and legislation’s introduced:
- SMOKING- smoke free areas, health warnings on packets, taxation and bans in public places, don’t allow them to be displayed in public (cover)
- CHANGE FOR LIFE SMART SWAP - swapping unhealthy snacks and beverages for healthier alternatives
- presenting the traffic light system on foods so that people are immediately aware of the ingredients and additives within food
- Dieticians promote the benefits for heart health from eating oily fish, more fruit and veg and less saturated fat
E.G. in Mauritius a change from palm oil to soya oil for cooking has brought down cholesterol levels significantly
HEALTH EDUCATION
- within schools - WHO has initiated a number of activities to assist schools as in 2000 they introduced world heart days’ which consisted of activities and events such as:
- blood pressure testing
- activities to engage the public in physical activities - e.g. skipping events in schools
Economic impacts of CHD:
- children may have to take care of the family business and therefore may not be able to put full energy in to their education which results in the reduction of job opportunities
- the family may struggle as they may only be relying on one income, which may place strain on them financially
- because if the illness, people may be unable to work therefore reducing a counties proportion of economically active people, which consequently will prevent the country from being able to develop economically
- also the government will have to spend more of their money on prevention, treatment and management of the illness rather than other more beneficial thigs to society.
- the family may have to pay for funerals if the person was to die from the disease
Social impacts of CHD:
- the family may struggle to cope as they may have to juggle their work with performing the role of a carer to the individual with the disease.
- the individual may be hospital-bound and therefore cannot engage in usual activities and socialise with their friends, therefore they may feel like an outcast
- they may have to make lifestyle changes, such as adapting their daily routine by incorporating an element of exercise in or spending more time deciding on what they eat
- there may be a social stigma towards the individual as people may say that it is self inflicted and therefore indivudlas may be ostracised.
Political impacts of CHD:
- political parties may begin to change their focus and orientate it towards tackling the issue of CHD
Global distribution of CHD
More common in wealthier countries such as the UK and USA
However cases are increasing in newly industrialised countries and ledcs such as sub-saharan Africa and India - 80% of deaths occur in ledcs and newly industrialised countries
