Ways of Treating Cardiovascular Disease

Overview

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer are significant non-communicable diseases.
• Lifestyle and genetics influence the risk of developing these diseases.

Lifestyle Choices

• Key lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of CVD:
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a diet low in saturated fat.

Medical Treatments

Statins

• Purpose: Lower cholesterol levels to reduce heart disease risk.
• Mechanism: Reduce cholesterol production in the liver.
• Usage: Prescribed for long-term use in individuals with heart disease or high risk.
• Side Effects: Diarrhoea, headaches, nausea.
• Contraindications: Not suitable for people with liver disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Stents

• Function: Keep coronary arteries open by using a wire mesh tube.
• Application: Used when drugs are ineffective; considered a long-term solution.
• Risks: Bleeding, heart attack, stroke.
• Statistics: Approx. 75,000 operations annually.
• Suitability: Depends on age, health, and history of heart attack.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

• Procedure: Use blood vessels from other body parts to bypass blocked coronary arteries.
• Graft: New section of blood vessel attached above and below the blockage for blood flow.

Additional Resources

• Other related topics include heart transplants, evaluation of CVD treatments, and causes of other non-communicable diseases.