2.4.11

Treating Heart Disease

Test yourself

Treating Coronary Heart Disease

The two common treatments for coronary heart disease are:

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Stents

  • Stents are inserted in order to keep coronary arteries (arteries that supply the heart) open.
  • Over time, because of irritation caused by the stent, the artery can begin to narrow again as scar tissue builds up.
  • Drugs must be taken to prevent blood clotting (solid lumps of blood) on the stent.
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Statins

  • Statins are drugs that can be taken to decrease blood cholesterol levels.
  • Statins help to slow down the build-up of fatty materials.
  • As with most medications, statins can have side effects.

Treatments of Heart Diseases

The advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of treatment are compared below:

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Drugs

  • Advantages: Often cheap to buy, and do not require surgery.
  • Disadvantages: May have side effects, and the patient has to remember to take them.
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Mechanical devices

  • Advantages: Used in cases where a donor organ is not available.
  • Disadvantages: Require a power supply, and may eventually wear out and need replacing.
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Transplants

  • Advantages: Successfully transplanted organs won't wear down, and will function like the replaced organ.
  • Disadvantages: Require a suitable donor and immunosuppressants, which can increase the risk of the patient getting another disease.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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