Health and disease

• What type of muscle cells make up the heart?

  Cardiac muscle cells
• Why do cardiac muscle cells need a supply of blood?


  To deliver oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients, and remove waste products
• What supplies blood to the heart?

  The coronary arteries
• Where do the coronary arteries branch from?


  They branch directly from the aorta
• What type of blood do the coronary arteries supply to the heart?


  Oxygenated blood
• What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?


  It involves layers of fatty material building up inside the coronary arteries
• What happens if a coronary artery becomes partially or completely blocked?


  Blood flow through the arteries is reduced
• What is the consequence of reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle?


  It can lead to severe chest pains called angina
• What occurs during a complete blockage of a coronary artery?


  Cells in that area of the heart will not be able to respire aerobically, leading to a heart attack
• What does the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries do?


  Narrows the lumen
• What is the effect of a narrowed lumen in a coronary artery?


  It reduces blood flow to the heart
• What are the two main treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD)?


  • Increasing the width of the lumen of the coronary arteries using a stent
  • Prescribing statins to lower blood cholesterol
• How do stents help treat CHD?


  They keep the coronary arteries open by increasing the width of the lumen
• What is the procedure for inserting a stent?


  A narrow tube is threaded up through the groin to the blocked vessel, and a balloon is inflated
• What happens after the balloon is inflated during stent insertion?


  The balloon and tube are then removed
• Why are stents considered effective for reducing heart attack risk?


  They widen the lumen to increase blood flow to the coronary arteries
• What is a positive aspect of stents?


  They last a long time
• What is a risk associated with stents?


  There is a risk of blood clots (thrombosis) occurring
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?


  Advantages:

  • Effective at reducing heart attack risk
  • Last a long time
  • Simple minor surgery

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Risk of blood clots
  • Risk of infection during surgery
  • Risk of damage to the blood vessel during surgery
• What are statins used for?


  To reduce the levels of fatty deposits (cholesterol) in the blood
• How do statins work?


  They block an enzyme in the liver needed to make cholesterol
• What is a benefit of taking statins?


  They reduce the risk of CHD occurring
• What is a disadvantage of statins?


  They need to be taken regularly and long-term to be effective
• What are some side effects of statins?


  Muscle and joint pain, kidney problems, and neurological issues
• What role do heart valves play?


  They ensure blood is pumped from the ventricles to the arteries in a one-way direction
• What can cause heart valves to become faulty?


  Illness, old age, or a heart attack
• What happens when heart valves become stiff?


  They can prevent blood from flowing through fully
• What is a consequence of a faulty heart valve that develops a leak?


  It allows blood to flow back into the atria or the arteries
• How can faulty heart valves be replaced?


  Using biological valves from cows or pigs or mechanical valves
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological and mechanical heart valves?

  Biological Valve:

  Advantages:

  • Highly effective
  • Less likely to leak

  Disadvantages:

  • Need to be replaced after 12−15 years
  • Risk of immune rejection

  
  

  Mechanical Valve:

  Advantages:

  • Long-lasting
  • Less need to replace

  Disadvantages:

  • Can increase the likelihood of blood clots
  • Lifelong need for anticoagulant medication
• What is a heart transplant?


  A procedure where a heart is transplanted from a donor who has recently died
• What is an artificial heart used for?


  To keep patients alive while waiting for a heart transplant or to allow the heart to rest
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?


  Advantages:

  • Shorter waiting times
  • Less chance of immune rejection

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Do not work as well as real hearts
  • Increased risk of blood clots, leading to stroke
• What factors should be considered when evaluating treatments for cardiovascular diseases?


  • Risk of surgical procedures vs. benefits of a successful outcome
  • Ease of access to the treatment
  • Potential side effects/long-term impacts
• What is health defined as?

  The state of physical and mental well-being
• What are major causes of ill health?

  Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable
• How does ill health affect individuals and society?


  It affects not only the sufferer but their family members and societal contributions
• What can ill health lead to?


  A poorer quality of life or reduced lifespan
• What is a cost associated with being ill?


  Individuals may not be able to work and may require expensive healthcare
• What are communicable diseases caused by?


  Microorganisms called pathogens