What is the cardiovascular system?

An organ system that consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. 

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What is coronary heart disease?

In coronary heart disease, layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries, causing them to become narrower.


This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, resulting in a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle. 

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How do stents help treat coronary heart disease?

Stents are tube-shaped devices that are placed inside the coronary arteries and then expanded to keep the arteries open.


They allow blood to flow more easily. 

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Give 3 advantages of using stents to treat coronary heart disease.

  1. The surgery is quick.


  1. The stents can last a long time.


  1. The stents have an almost immediate effect.

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How do statins help treat coronary heart disease?

Statins are medications that reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol and increase the levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood.


This slows the rate at which fatty material is deposited in the coronary arteries.

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Give 3 disadvantages of using statins to treat coronary heart disease.

1They have side effects such as kidney failure and headaches.


2The pills have to be taken every day.


3It can take months to see the positive effects.

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What are 2 problems caused by faulty heart valves?

1Not enough blood can pass though the valve.


2Blood can pass backwards through the valve. 

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What are the 2 types of replacement heart valves?

1Biological valves, which come from other animals such as pigs or cows.


2Mechanical valves, which are man-made, often from metal.  

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What is heart failure?

Heart failure is when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly.

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What are the 3 treatments for heart failure?

1Replacement with a biological heart.


2Replacement with a mechanical heart.


3Medications.

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Why might a biological donor heart be rejected?

The immune system might identify biological material such as a biological heart as 'foreign', and so mount an immune defence against it.

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Are artificial donor hearts often rejected?

No. Artificial hearts are usually made of metals and plastics, which don't trigger an immune response. 

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What are anticoagulants?

Anticoagulants (such as Warfarin) are medicines that help prevent blood clots, which makes heart attacks and strokes less likely.

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What is the downside of anticoagulants?

Blood clotting is sometimes helpful.


For example if a blood vessel breaks then we need the blood to clot in order to stop blood loss. This means that a side effect of anticoagulants can be excessive bleeding.

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What are antihypertensives?

Antihypertensives are medicines that lower blood pressure.


They reduce the risk of atheroma/fatty plaques and blood clots forming. 

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What are the downsides of antihypertensives?

They can cause side effects such as headaches and fainting.

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