Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

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Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Cardiovascular Disease, or CVD, is Britains biggest killer,

responsible for 40% of premature deaths in Britain.

CVD is a comprehensive term for several afflictions of the

cardiovascular system - the heart and blood vessels of the body. These

afflictions are Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Atherosclerosis and

arteriosclerosis, Angina, Coronary Thrombosis and Myocardial

Infarction and Stroke.

Apart from the high mortality rate - it is estimated that CVD kills

140,000 people a year under 75 years old, chronic heart disease causes

incapacitation, suffering and pain in many of it's victims. Much heart

disease is also self-inflicted and therefore avoidable.

Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis

The underlying cause of CHD, strokes and other diseases of the blood

vessels is usually atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is caused by the

build up of cholesterol and other fatty substances in walls of

arteries. Firstly the deposits form small streaks on the endothelium

of the artery, but gradually build up to form patches known as

atheromatous plaques. The deposit is called an atheroma and causes the

arterial walls to thicken, hence narrowing the lumen of the artery.

The onset of an atheromatous plaque may be caused by some physical

damage to the artery, sometimes caused by high arterial pressure -

hypertension. Smooth muscle cells proliferate at the site of damage

and then lipids and cholesterol are deposited from the blood. The

cholesterol deposited in the walls may be attacked by free radicals

released by phagocytes which may slow down the passage of low density

lipoproteins which carry cholest...

... middle of paper ...

...flated balloon is attached to a fine catheter and inserted into the

partially blocked artery. When inflated it stretches the lumen,

widening it enough to increase the flow of blood and reduce the risk

of a thrombus forming.

Although these surgical methods can alleviate the symptoms of CVD,

after surgery the patient must also be willing to take care of their

health with a good diet, stop smoking if a smoker and gentle exercise

to experience the benefits of their operation. If not the whole

operation was pointless as they will damage their 'fixed' body once

again and be in no better health physically.

Bibliography

Human Health and Disease - Fosbery

Human Physical Health - Taylor

Biological Sciences 2

Man Against Disease - Clegg and Clegg

American Heart Association - http://www.americanheart.org/

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