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Cardiovascular Disease
These are diseases which are related to the CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant health condition where the CORONARY ARTERIES (the blood vessels supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle) become narrowed by a gradual build-up of FATTY MATERIAL. This condition can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, HEART ATTACKS.
Treating CHD
1. Stents
- A STENT is a device used to keep coronary arteries OPEN, ensuring adequate blood flow to the heart.
- They are typically made of metal mesh and are inserted into clogged arteries.
- Stents can reduce the symptoms of CHD, like chest pain, and help minimise the risk of a heart attack by preventing the artery from re-narrowing.
2. Statins
- STATINS are a class of DRUGS used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, particularly the 'bad' LDL cholesterol that contributes to fatty deposit build-up.
- By reducing LDL levels, statins help to slow the progression of CHD and can also stabilise existing fatty deposits, making it less likely to cause a heart attack.
Advantages of Statins
- Statins are proven to decrease the chances of STROKE and HEART DISEASE.
- They contribute to increasing 'good' cholesterol, which helps remove bad cholesterol from the body.
Disadvantages of Statins
- Regular, long-term medication is required, which means they must be taken as prescribed without interruption.
- Potential SIDE EFFECTS may impact patients' well-being and can range from mild to severe.
- The positive effects of statins on cholesterol levels are gradual and require time to become significant.
3. Artificial Hearts
- ARTIFICIAL HEARTS may be utilised when a patient's heart has failed and a heart transplant isn't immediately available or suitable.
- These devices are typically a temporary solution but can sometimes be permanent.
- The key benefit is REDUCED RISK OF REJECTION by the body's immune system because they are made from MAN-MADE materials, unlike donor hearts.
- However, there are risks of BLEEDING and INFECTION.
- Mechanical parts of the artificial heart can wear out, and the electrical motor could fail.
4. Valve Replacement Therapies
- Damaged or faulty heart valves can be replaced with BIOLOGICAL or MECHANICAL valves.
- Biological valves are derived from other mammals, like cows or pigs.
- Mechanical valves are man-made and durable.
- Valve replacement is significant surgery but less so than heart transplantation.
Cardiovascular Disease
These are diseases which are related to the CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant health condition where the CORONARY ARTERIES (the blood vessels supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle) become narrowed by a gradual build-up of FATTY MATERIAL. This condition can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, HEART ATTACKS.
Treating CHD
1. Stents
- A STENT is a device used to keep coronary arteries OPEN, ensuring adequate blood flow to the heart.
- They are typically made of metal mesh and are inserted into clogged arteries.
- Stents can reduce the symptoms of CHD, like chest pain, and help minimise the risk of a heart attack by preventing the artery from re-narrowing.
2. Statins
- STATINS are a class of DRUGS used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, particularly the 'bad' LDL cholesterol that contributes to fatty deposit build-up.
- By reducing LDL levels, statins help to slow the progression of CHD and can also stabilise existing fatty deposits, making it less likely to cause a heart attack.
Advantages of Statins
- Statins are proven to decrease the chances of STROKE and HEART DISEASE.
- They contribute to increasing 'good' cholesterol, which helps remove bad cholesterol from the body.
Disadvantages of Statins
- Regular, long-term medication is required, which means they must be taken as prescribed without interruption.
- Potential SIDE EFFECTS may impact patients' well-being and can range from mild to severe.
- The positive effects of statins on cholesterol levels are gradual and require time to become significant.
3. Artificial Hearts
- ARTIFICIAL HEARTS may be utilised when a patient's heart has failed and a heart transplant isn't immediately available or suitable.
- These devices are typically a temporary solution but can sometimes be permanent.
- The key benefit is REDUCED RISK OF REJECTION by the body's immune system because they are made from MAN-MADE materials, unlike donor hearts.
- However, there are risks of BLEEDING and INFECTION.
- Mechanical parts of the artificial heart can wear out, and the electrical motor could fail.
4. Valve Replacement Therapies
- Damaged or faulty heart valves can be replaced with BIOLOGICAL or MECHANICAL valves.
- Biological valves are derived from other mammals, like cows or pigs.
- Mechanical valves are man-made and durable.
- Valve replacement is significant surgery but less so than heart transplantation.
