Non-communicable Diseases Flashcards
What is coronary heart disease?
layer of fatty material that builds up in coronary arteries and narrows them, resulting in a lack of oxygen for the heart
What is a stent?
device inserted into a blocked artery to keep it open, allowing more blood and oxygen to the heart
What are statins?
drugs that reduce blood cholesterol levels, slowing the rate of fatty material deposit
What is a faulty heart valve?
valve that doesn’t open properly or leaks
How can a faulty heart valve be treated?
replace with a biological or mechanical valve
When do heart transplants take place?
in cases of heart failure
What are artificial hearts used for?
keep patients alive while waiting for a transplant, or allow the heart to rest for recovery
Define health
state of physical and mental wellbeing
What factors can affect health?
disease, diet, stress, exercise, life situations
What is a risk factor?
aspect of lifestyle or substance in the body that can increase the risk of a disease developing
Give five risk factors
diet, smoking, exercise, alcohol, carcinogens
What is cancer?
a result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and cell division by mitosis
What are malignant tumours?
cancerous tumours that spread to neighbouring tissues and other parts of the body in the blood, forming secondary tumours
What are benign tumours?
non-cancerous tumours that do not spread in the body
What two types of risk factor affect the development of cancers?
lifestyle and genetic risk factors
