Treating Heart Disease
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.4.11
Treating Coronary Heart Disease
The two common treatments for coronary heart disease are:
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.
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.
Test yourself on Treating Heart Disease
What is the main purpose of fitting a stent in a coronary artery?
What effect do statins have on the fatty material in the arteries?
A patient has a stent fitted and takes drugs to stop blood clotting on it. Months later, the coronary artery narrows again. What is the most likely cause of this?
A patient already has a severely narrowed coronary artery. Why would a doctor fit a stent rather than rely on statins alone?
A patient's coronary artery has only a small amount of fatty material built up and is not yet severely narrowed. Why might a doctor prescribe statins rather than fit a stent straight away?