Comparing Treatments of Heart Disease
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.4.12
Treatments of Heart Diseases
The advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of treatment are compared below:
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.
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.
Test yourself on Comparing Treatments of Heart Disease
Which statement about why each heart disease treatment is chosen is correct?
Which statement about the reliability of heart disease treatments is correct?
Why are patients placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant?
Why might doctors choose a mechanical device for a patient instead of a heart transplant?
A patient is fitted with a mechanical device because no donor heart is available. What long-term disadvantage might they face?