CORONARY HEART DISEASE

CHD : if coronary artery becomes blocked ...
1. 1. Supply of blood to heart muscle interrupted
2. 2. Heart muscle cells deprived of glucose + oxygen
  1. Poisonous wastes build up, e.g: lactic acid
  2. Muscle starved of oxygen may die
3. 3. Part of heart muscle stops contracting, causes HEART ATTACK
  1. Damaging or fatal {depending on extent of muscle damage} as other tissues in body do not get oxygen + nutrients if heart stops beating
CORONARY CIRCULATION
1. Heart Muscle has own blood supply
2. 1. Blood delivered to capillary beds in walls of heart through CORONARY ARTERIES
  1. Branch off from aorta where it leaves L. ventricle
  2. So heart has high-pressure supply of blood filled w/ Oxygen + Glucose
3. 2. Useful substances (oxygen + glucose) removed by heart muscle cells + replaced w/ wastes e.g: CO2
4. 2. Blood returns to circulation via CORONARY VEINS
  1. Pour blood into vena cava
SURVIVORS
1. Many people survive heart attacks
  1. Have TREATMENT + adjust LIFESTYLE
2. TREATMENT
  1. If doctor thinks person has CHD, ANGIOGRAM is done
    1. Picture of state of coronary arteries
    2. If blocked, Coronary Artery BYPASS OP. done
  2. CA BYPASS OP.
    1. Blood vessel from another part of body removed + stitched onto place between aorta + unblocked part of CA
    2. Artificial vessel sometimes used
    3. Bypass increases blood flow + reduces likelihood of angina (chest pain)
  3. LIFESTYLE
    1. See : Prevention
PREVENTION
1. Do not smoke
2. Avoid fatty foods
3. Have regular aerobic exercise
4. Many middle aged men: [highest risk group]
  1. Drink 1/2 aspirin/day
    1. Helps stop clots which block arteries forming
  2. Drink little bit of alcohol
    1. Red wine = beneficial
SYMPTOMS
1. Breathless when exercising
2. Angina [chest pains]
3. Heart attack
4. Heart failure
5. Arrhythmia [irregular heartbeat]

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CORONARY HEART DISEASE

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	Created by simone.marx over 10 years ago