Health and Disease

• What does coronary heart disease (CHD) involve?

  Layers of fatty material building up

  
• What happens if a coronary artery becomes blocked?

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

  A lack of oxygen for the heart muscle
• What does partial blockage of coronary arteries cause?

  Severe chest pains called angina
• What occurs with complete blockage of a coronary artery?

  Cells cannot respire aerobically, causing a heart attack
• What does the buildup of plaque in coronary arteries do?

  Narrows the lumen

  
• What is the role of coronary arteries?

  Supply the heart with oxygenated blood
• Where do coronary arteries branch from?

  Directly from the aorta
• What is the effect of a narrowed lumen in a coronary artery?

  Reduced blood flow to the heart

  
• What are the treatments for coronary heart disease (CHD)?

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

  They keep the coronary arteries open
• What is the procedure for inserting a stent?

  A narrow tube is threaded through the groin
• What are the uses of artificial hearts?

  • Keep patients alive while waiting for a transplant
  • Allow the heart to rest as an aid to recovery
• 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
• What factors should be considered when evaluating treatments for CHD?

  • Risks of surgical procedures vs. benefits
  • Ease of access to treatment
  • Potential side effects and long-term impacts
• What do statins do?

  Reduce levels of fatty deposits in the blood
• How do statins work?

  They block an enzyme needed to make cholesterol
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?

  Advantages:

  • Reduce 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) levels
  • Lower risk of fatty deposits and CHD

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Need to be taken regularly and long-term
• What happens during the stent insertion procedure?

  A balloon inflates to widen the artery

  
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of stents?

  Advantages:

  • Effective at reducing heart attack risk
  • Long-lasting

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Risk of blood clots
  • Risk of infection during surgery
  • Risk of damage to blood vessels
• What is health defined as?

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

  Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable
• How can ill health affect an individual?

  It can lead to poorer quality of life
• What are communicable diseases caused by?

  Microorganisms called pathogens
• What are non-communicable diseases?

  Diseases not caused by pathogens
• What factors can affect health?

  Diet, stress, and life situations
• How does a poor diet affect health?

  It can lead to deficiencies and obesity
• What can constant stress lead to?

  Cardiovascular issues and poor mental health
• How can a person's living situation affect their health?

  It affects healthcare access and food choices
• How can diseases interact negatively?

  They can worsen an individual's health
• What can defects in the immune system lead to?

  Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases
• How can viruses trigger cancers?

  By infecting cells and causing mutations
• What can severe physical ill health lead to?

  Depression and other mental illnesses
• What is the role of heart valves?

  Ensure blood is pumped in one direction
• What can cause heart valves to become faulty?

  Illness, old age, or heart attack
• What happens if heart valves stiffen?

  They prevent full opening for blood flow
• What can a leaking heart valve cause?

  Blood to flow back into the atria
• What are the types of heart valve replacements?

  • Biological valves from cows or pigs
  • Mechanical valves