2.2.4: Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Coronary heart disease (CHD): fatty deposits (plaques) build up inside coronary arteries → narrow lumen → reduced blood flow → reduced O₂ to heart muscle → chest pain, heart attack (if blockage is complete).
Stents: small mesh tubes inserted into coronary artery to hold it open; allow normal blood flow; mechanical device (not a drug).
Statins: drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels → slow the rate of fatty deposit formation (do not dissolve existing plaques).
Faulty heart valves: may not open fully or may leak → reduced blood flow or backflow; replaced with biological (human/animal) or mechanical valves.
Heart failure: donor heart (or heart + lungs) transplant; artificial heart used while waiting for transplant or to allow heart to recover.
Evaluation of treatments: drugs have side effects; surgery risks (infection, rejection); biological valves may wear out; mechanical valves need anticoagulants.
Common exam mistakes
Statins reduce blood cholesterol (slowing deposition) — they do NOT dissolve or remove existing fatty plaques.
Stents are physical devices that hold arteries open — not drugs; do not confuse with statins.
Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle — not to the lungs (pulmonary artery does that).
Do not confuse stents (mesh tube) with statins (cholesterol-lowering drug) — two very different treatments.