Heart Problems and Solutions
Coronary heart disease (CHD) happens when fatty deposits called atheroma build up in your coronary arteries - the blood vessels that feed your heart muscle. These deposits form plaques that narrow the artery, reducing blood flow and potentially causing heart attacks.
When heart valves go wrong, you get two main problems: stiff valves that won't open properly, or leaky valves that let blood flow backwards. Both make your heart work harder and can cause breathlessness. Doctors can replace damaged valves with biological valves (from animals or donors) or mechanical valves.
Modern medicine offers brilliant solutions for heart problems. Stents are tiny tubes inserted into blocked arteries to keep them open - they're highly successful and last ages. Artificial pacemakers fix irregular heartbeats by sending electrical signals to your heart, taking over from your natural pacemaker (a group of cells in the right atrium).
Remember: Your heart has its own built-in electrical system, but sometimes it needs a bit of technological help to keep the rhythm steady!