Cardiovascular disease

Question 1

What is coronary heart disease

Answer 1

Fatty material builds up in the coronary arteries meaning that they are narrower so blood flow is restricted. This decreases the amount of oxygen reaching the heart muscles and therefor heart attacks

Question 2

What are stents

Answer 2

Mesh tubes inserted into the coronary arteries that forces them open so blood can pass through the heart muscles.

Question 3

Positives of stents

Answer 3

Long term effective and the recovery times are quick

Question 4

Negatives of stents

Answer 4

Surgery complications
Blood clots near the stent (thrombosis)

Question 5

What are statins?

Answer 5

Medication that reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood so slows the rate of cholesterol deposition

Question 6

Positives of statins

Answer 6

Reduces the risk of strokes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks
Increase beneficial cholesterol in the blood

Question 7

Negatives of statins

Answer 7

Long term drug that need to be taken daily
Nevgative side effects such as headaches or kidney failure
Takes time to be effective

Question 8

Heart transplant

Answer 8

Can be artificial or from a recently deceased person
Artificial hearts are less likely to be rejected from the body but can cause more bleeding. They also do not work as well and can lead blood clots

Question 9

Valve replacements

Answer 9

Replace faulty or be stiff. Can be taken from humans or other mammals (e.g pig). They are less drastic than entire heart replacements so have smaller surgery risks

Question 10

Artificial blood

Answer 10

When someone loses blood in an accident, artificial blood s used to replace lost blood and can keep someone alive if they lose 2/3 of their red blood cells. It is usually a saline solution and means there isn’t a requirement to have a blood transfusion.