Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cardiovascular diseases


  Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
• Cardiovascular diseases

  • They are non-communicable, meaning they cannot be passed from person to person
• Coronary heart disease


  1. Layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries

  2. Coronary arteries narrow

  3. Reduces blood flow through the coronary arteries

  4. Lack of oxygen for the heart muscle

  5. Can result in a heart attack
• Statins


  Drugs which reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, slowing down the build-up of fatty materials in the arteries
• Statins


  • Effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease
  • Can cause liver problems as an unwanted side effect
• Stent


  A tube inserted into a coronary artery to keep it open and allow normal blood flow
• Stent


  • Allows normal blood flow through the artery
  • Does not treat the underlying causes of the disease
• Heart valve issues


  • Valves do not fully open, causing the heart to pump extra hard
  • Valves are leaky, causing the patient to feel weak and tired
• Heart valve replacement


  Mechanical valves made of metal or valves from animals like pigs
• Mechanical valves


  • Last a lifetime but increase the risk of blood clots, requiring anti-clotting drugs
  • Animal valves do not last as long and may need to be replaced, but do not require drugs
• Heart failure


  The heart cannot pump enough blood around the body
• Heart transplant


  • Donated heart or heart and lungs
  • Patients must take drugs to stop the donated heart from being rejected
• Artificial heart


  • A temporary solution while waiting for a heart transplant or to allow a damaged heart to rest
  • Increases the risk of blood clotting and not a long-term solution