blood and heart disease

Blood

Connective tissue made of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets

Plasma

The liquid part of blood

Red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body cells

White blood cells

Blood cells that help destroy disease-causing microorganisms

Platelets

Particles in the blood needed for blood clotting

Cardiovascular disease

A disease of the heart and blood vessels

Coronary heart disease

The clogging of the vessels that surround the heart muscle

Non-communicable

A disease that is not transmitted from one host to another

Stent

A wire mesh tube used to keep arteries open, can sometimes only be a temporary solution

Statin

A drug used to lower cholesterol, may cause side effects

Faulty valve

A heart valve which is damaged

Biological valve

A replacement heart valve made with the valves and tissues derived from animals or human donors

Mechanical valve

A non-biological replacement heart valve

Donor heart

A heart that comes from a deceased donor

Artificial heart

A mechanical pump implanted in place of a diseased or damaged heart

Lifestyle

Adjusting lifestyle and diet can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as less fatty food, more exercise, reduced stress, avoiding recreational drugs and cigarettes, requires a high level of self-discipline