B4.4 Helping the Heart

• Where is the natural pacemaker?

  Right atria
• How can leaky valves be fixed?

  With mechanical valves
• Why are mechanical valves dangerous?

  Overtime blood can start clotting around them -> medicine must be taken to stop this
• Where do biological valves come from?

  • Pigs
  • Cattle
  • Human donors
• How do you fix an irregular heart beat?

  With an artificial pacemaker
• How does an artificial pacemaker work?

  It stimulates the heart with electrical impulses to help the heart beat at the right pace
• What are given to patients waiting on a heart transplant?

  An artificial heart