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Coronary Heart Disease

Contents

Key Stage 4

Meaning

 
A diagram showing the build up of a Cholesterol Plaque in a Coronary Artery.

Coronary Heart Disease is a non-communicable disease in which the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen become narrower because of the build up of cholesterol plaques.

About Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease can lead to a heart attack.
A Cholesterol plaque is a lump of fat.

Risk Factors in Coronary Heart Disease

Obesity and a diet high in fat can increase the risk of Coronary Heart Disease.
Smoking can increase the risk of Coronary Heart Disease.
Lack of exercise can increase the risk of Coronary Heart Disease.

Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease

In a Coronary Bypass an artery from another part of the body is cut out and attached to the Coronary Artery to provide a path for blood to flow around the blockage.
A Stent is a tube which can be placed inside the narrow artery and then expanded to widen the artery. The Stent is left inside the artery to hold it open.

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