Cardiovascular diseases

Life-Long Medication:

Examples:

• Statins: These are drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood, helping to reduce the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.

• Anticoagulants (e.g., aspirin): These reduce the likelihood of blood clotting, which can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

• Beta-blockers: These reduce heart rate and blood pressure, lowering the strain on the heart. Benefits:

• Medications can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in high-risk individuals.

• They are relatively easy to take, usually in pill form, and can be taken over long periods. Limitations:

• Some medications may cause side effects, such as muscle pain with statins or increased bleeding with anticoagulants.

• Patients need to take the medications consistently, often for the rest of their lives, which can be challenging for some people.

Surgical Procedures:

Examples:

• Coronary bypass surgery: Involves redirecting blood flow around a blocked artery using a blood vessel from another part of the body.

• Angioplasty: A procedure where a small balloon is used to widen a narrowed or blocked artery. Sometimes, a stent (a small mesh tube) is left in place to keep the artery open. Benefits:

• Surgical procedures can provide immediate relief from symptoms like chest pain (angina) and can prevent life-threatening events such as heart attacks.

• They can improve blood flow and heart function in patients with severe blockages or damaged arteries. Limitations:

• Surgery carries risks such as infection, complications during the procedure, and a long recovery time.

• It does not address the root cause of cardiovascular disease, so patients may still need medication and lifestyle changes after surgery.

Lifestyle Changes:

Examples:

• Dietary changes: Reducing intake of saturated fats, salt, and sugars to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, and helps maintain a healthy weight.

• Quitting smoking: Smoking cessation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as smoking damages arteries and increases the risk of clots. Benefits:

• Lifestyle changes can prevent cardiovascular disease and improve overall health without the need for medication or surgery.

• These changes have long-term benefits, including weight loss, improved mental health, and a reduced risk of other health conditions like type 2 diabetes. Limitations:

• It can be difficult for people to make and sustain these changes, especially if they have long-standing habits like smoking or poor diet.

• Lifestyle changes may not be sufficient on their own for individuals with severe cardiovascular disease and may need to be combined with medication or surgery.

It affects your heart & blood vessels:

• Arteries- blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
• Cholesterol- is a fatty substances that makes things like cell membranes- too much in the blood causes fatty deposits

Solutions to Cardiovascular disease

	Surgical procedures	Lifestyle changes	Drugs
	Stents (tubes) are inserted in arteries which keep them open so blood can pass through to the heart muscles so lowers risk of heart attack	• Reduce your risk of developing CVD which form part of the treatment, helping reduce risk of heart attack/stroke • Healthy balanced diet (low in saturated fat) • Exercise regularly • Lose weight • Stop smoking Recommended at first as there are not any downsides	Some people need drugs forever • STATINS Reduce the amount of cholesterol in blood stream• slows down rate of fatty deposits form so reduces heart attacks/strokes • ANTICOAGULANTS Drugs which make blood clots less likely to form • ANTIHYPERTENSIVES Reduce blood pressure which prevent damage to blood vessels so reduces risk of fatty deposits forming
Problems	• Over time the artery can narrow again as stents irritate the artery & scar tissue grows • Has to take drugs to stop blood clotting on the stent • If a blood vessel is blocked, a piece of healthy vessel can be taken elsewhere used as a by[ass (coronary bypass surgery) • The whole heart can be replaced with a donor heart but may not start pumping properly so drugs are given so body doesn't reject, this can cause side effects (eg. More vulnerable to infections) • Any surgery is a major procedure so risk of bleeding, clots, infections • May go back to poor choices later • Long recovery	• Doesn't always work • Educating public through adverts is expensive • Not good for those with low income Saturated fat increases blood cholesterol level	• Statins can cause side effects (eg. Aching muscles) which can be serious • Anticoagulants can cause excessive bleeding if person is hurt in accident • Antihypertensive can cause side effects • Not suitable for all groups (pregnant/over55) • Expensive for NHS
Pros	• Fresh start for those whose medications doesn't work • Suitable for those who cant take medication	• Help prevent further problems • Least expensive option • Avoids other conditions (depression)	• Prolongs life by preventing disease progressions • Avoids surgery