Cardiovascular disease

• 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 and oxygen to the heart muscle

  4. Can result in a heart attack
• Statins


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


  • Effective at reducing the risk of coronary heart disease
  • Can cause unwanted side effects like liver problems
• Stent insertion


  1. Stent is a tube inserted into the coronary artery to keep it open

  2. Allows normal blood flow but does not treat underlying causes
• Heart valve issues


  Valves do not fully open or are leaky, causing the heart to work harder
• Mechanical heart valves


  Made of metal, can last a lifetime but increase risk of blood clots
• Biological heart valves


  From animals, do not last as long and may need replacement, but do not require anti-clotting drugs
• Heart failure


  Heart cannot pump enough blood around the body
• Heart transplant


  1. Donated heart or heart and lungs transplanted

  2. Shortage of donated hearts

  3. Patient must take drugs to prevent rejection
• Artificial heart


  • Temporary solution to allow damaged heart to rest or while waiting for transplant
  • Increases risk of blood clotting, not a long-term solution