Cardiovascular diseases

• What are cardiovascular diseases?

  Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
• What is a key feature of cardiovascular diseases?

  They are non-communicable and cannot be passed from person to person.
• Give 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 in coronary heart disease?

  Layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them.
• 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 due to the heart being starved of oxygen.
• What are statins used for?

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

  They have been proven to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
• What is a disadvantage of statins?

  They can cause liver problems as a side effect.
• What is a stent used for in coronary heart disease?

  To keep the coronary artery open and allow normal blood flow.
• What is an advantage of inserting a stent?

  It allows blood to flow normally through the artery.
• What is a limitation of using a stent?

  It does not prevent other regions of the coronary arteries from narrowing.
• What can happen when heart valves do not function properly?

  The heart may have to pump extra hard to get blood through.
• What are the two types of valves that can be used to replace faulty heart valves?

  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, requiring anti-clotting drugs.
• What is a disadvantage of biological valves?

  They do not last as long and may need to be replaced.
• 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 a donated heart and lungs.
• What is a problem with donated hearts?

  There are not enough donated hearts available to treat every patient.
• What must patients take after receiving a donated heart?

  Drugs to stop the donated heart from being rejected by the body's immune system.
• What is an artificial heart used for?

  As a temporary solution while waiting for a heart transplant or to allow a damaged heart to rest.
• What is a risk associated with artificial hearts?

  They increase the risk of blood clotting.
• Why are artificial hearts not a long-term solution?

  They can only be used for a relatively short time.
• What are the different methods of treating cardiovascular diseases?

  • Statins to reduce cholesterol levels
  • Stents to keep arteries open
  • Heart valve replacements (mechanical or biological)
  • Heart transplants or artificial hearts for heart failure
• What should you be able to do by the end of the video on cardiovascular diseases?

  • Describe different cardiovascular diseases
  • Evaluate different methods of treating cardiovascular diseases
• Where can you find questions on cardiovascular diseases related to the video?

  In the vision workbook linked in the video.