Evaluation of different cardiovascular disease treatment methods

Drugs used alongside heart conditions and transplants prolong life.

NHS data shows the life expectancy of heart transplant patients:

Life expectancypatient %
> 1 year80% to 90%
> 5 years70% to 75%
> 10 years60%
Life expectancy> 1 year
patient %80% to 90%
Life expectancy> 5 years
patient %70% to 75%
Life expectancy> 10 years
patient %60%

Evaluating the treatment methods

TreatmentAdvantageDisadvantage
Change in lifestyle eg change in diet, stopping smoking, exercisingReduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease; very little cost to patient or NHS; has other health benefitsSome people may find making changes difficult.
Drugs - statinsReduce the risk of heart attack - studies have shown a decrease in cholesterol in the blood; used to reduce high cholesterol levels that have genetic causesNot suitable for people with liver disease. Some studies have raised concerns regarding side effects; must be taken for life; should not be taken if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Heart transplantImprove quality of lifeFew donor hearts are available; recovery time is long; risk of rejection by the body's immune system
Stents Widen coronary arteries that have not responded to drug treatment; recovery time is short following insertion of the stentIn a minority of cases, further treatment is required
TreatmentChange in lifestyle eg change in diet, stopping smoking, exercising
AdvantageReduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease; very little cost to patient or NHS; has other health benefits
DisadvantageSome people may find making changes difficult.
TreatmentDrugs - statins
AdvantageReduce the risk of heart attack - studies have shown a decrease in cholesterol in the blood; used to reduce high cholesterol levels that have genetic causes
DisadvantageNot suitable for people with liver disease. Some studies have raised concerns regarding side effects; must be taken for life; should not be taken if pregnant or breastfeeding.
TreatmentHeart transplant
AdvantageImprove quality of life
DisadvantageFew donor hearts are available; recovery time is long; risk of rejection by the body's immune system
TreatmentStents
AdvantageWiden coronary arteries that have not responded to drug treatment; recovery time is short following insertion of the stent
DisadvantageIn a minority of cases, further treatment is required
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