Non-Communicable disease

• What are cardiovascular diseases?

  Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
• What is an example of a cardiovascular disease?

  Coronary heart disease
• What is the function of the coronary arteries?

  To provide oxygen to the muscle cells of the heart
• What happens to the coronary arteries in coronary heart disease?

  Layers of fatty material build up, causing them to narrow
• What is the effect of narrowed coronary arteries on the heart muscle?

  It results in a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle
• What can extreme cases of coronary heart disease lead to?

  A heart attack, which can be fatal
• What are statins used for?

  To reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood
• What is an advantage of statins?

  They reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
• What is a disadvantage of statins?

  They can effect the liver
• What is a stent?

  A tube inserted into the coronary artery to keep it open
• What is the advantage of inserting a stent?

  It allows normal blood flow through the artery
• What is a limitation of a stent?

  It does not prevent other regions of the coronary arteries from narrowing
• What can happen when heart valves are faulty?

  The heart may have to pump extra hard or may become leaky
• What are the two types of valves used for replacement?

  Mechanical valves and biological valves from animals
• What is an advantage of mechanical valves?

  They can last a lifetime
• What is a disadvantage of mechanical valves?

  They increase the risk of blood clots
• What is a disadvantage of biological valves?

  They do not last as long as mechanical valves
• What is heart failure?

  When the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body
• What are two options for treating heart failure?

  A donated heart or an artificial heart
• What is a problem with donated hearts?

  Low supply of valid hearts
• What must patients take after receiving a donated heart?

  Drugs to prevent rejection by the immune system
• What is the purpose of an artificial heart?

  To serve as a temporary solution while waiting for a transplant
• What is a limitation of artificial hearts?

  They increase the risk of blood clotting and are not a long-term solution
• What are the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases?

  • Statins to reduce cholesterol
  • Stents to keep arteries open
  • Heart valve replacement (mechanical or biological)
  • Heart transplants (donated hearts)
  • Artificial hearts as temporary solutions
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?

  Advantages:

  • Proven to reduce risk of coronary heart disease

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Can cause liver problems
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?

  Advantages:

  • Allows normal blood flow

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Does not prevent narrowing in other regions
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical valves?

  Advantages:

  • Can last a lifetime

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Increase risk of blood clots
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological valves?

  Advantages:

  • Do not require anti-clotting drugs

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Do not last as long as mechanical valves
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?

  Advantages:

  • Serve as a temporary solution

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Increase risk of blood clotting and not a long-term solution
• What are the two types of tumors?

  Benign and malignant tumors
• What is a benign tumor?

  A benign tumor is a growth of abnormal cells that is contained in one area
• How do benign tumors differ from malignant tumors?

  Benign tumors do not invade other parts of the body, while malignant tumors do
• What happens to malignant tumor cells once they enter the bloodstream?

  They spread to different parts of the body and form new tumors
• What are secondary tumors?

  Secondary tumors are new tumors formed from malignant cells that have spread
• What can lead to uncontrolled growth and mitosis?

  Changes in genes that control cell division
• What are some genetic risk factors for developing cancer?

  Certain types of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the large intestine
• How is lung cancer linked to lifestyle?

  Lung cancer is linked to smoking
• What environmental substance is mentioned as a risk factor for lung cancer?

  Radon
• How does radon increase the risk of lung cancer?

  Radon releases ionizing radiation that damages DNA in cells
• What can DNA damage from ionizing radiation lead to?

  Uncontrolled cell division, leading to cancer