Cardiovascular Disease

• What is the purpose of stents in cardiovascular disease?

  Stents keep arteries open to allow blood to flow to the heart.
• How do stents help prevent heart attacks?

  They reduce the risk of heart attacks in people with coronary heart disease.
• What are the risks associated with stent surgery?

  Risks include heart attack during the operation and infection from surgery.
• What is thrombus in relation to stents?

  Thrombus is a blood clot that can develop near the stent.
• What is the role of cholesterol in the body?

  Cholesterol is an essential lipid that the body produces and needs to function properly.
• What health problems can arise from high levels of LDL cholesterol?

  High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits forming inside arteries.
• What are statins used for?

  Statins are drugs that reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• What are the advantages of using statins?

  • Reduce the risk of strokes, coronary heart disease, and heart attacks.
  • Increase the level of HDL cholesterol, which removes bad cholesterol.
  • May help prevent some other diseases.
• What are the disadvantages of using statins?

  • Must be taken regularly, with a risk of forgetting doses.
  • Can cause side effects like headaches, kidney failure, liver damage, and memory loss.
  • Takes time for their effects to kick in.
• What is an artificial heart?

  An artificial heart is a mechanical device that pumps blood for a person whose own heart has failed.
• When are artificial hearts typically used?

  They are used as a temporary fix until a donor heart is available or to help a person recover.
• What is a key advantage of artificial hearts compared to donor hearts?

  Artificial hearts are less likely to be rejected by the patient's immune system.
• What are some complications associated with artificial hearts?

  Complications include bleeding during surgery and potential failure of parts of the heart.
• What can faulty heart valves lead to?

  Faulty heart valves can cause blood to flow in both directions instead of just forward.
• What are the types of valves that can replace faulty heart valves?

  • Biological valves (from humans or other mammals)
  • Mechanical valves (man-made)
• What is the purpose of artificial blood?

  Artificial blood is used to replace lost blood and keep people alive until they produce more red blood cells.
• What is saline in the context of artificial blood?


  Saline is a salt solution used as a substitute for lost blood.
• What are some factors affecting health?

  • Access to food and medical care
  • Level of physical activity
  • Level of stress
• How can high stress levels affect health?

  High stress levels can lead to illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers.
• What should someone do if their stress levels are too high?

  They should seek help before it gets worse.
• What treatments are mentioned for cardiovascular disease?

  • Stents
  • Statins
  • Artificial hearts
  • Heart valve replacements
  • Artificial blood
• How can blood or a part of the brain be replaced?

  Blood can be replaced with artificial blood or through transfusions; brain parts can be replaced with artificial devices.