This week we have been working on filming for our skits about the heart and lungs. The main character of both of the skits is supposed to be named Joe, however we only have one Joe in the class, so I am playing him for my group’s skit. The idea of the skit is to research the anatomy of the heart and study some diseases and conditions that can affect it. In our skit, Joe is very unhealthy, and eats a lot of food containing cholesterol and trans fat. Both of these are found in processed food, and too much LDL or bad cholesterol can cause a blockage in the arteries.

What happens when someone eats a lot of junk food containing cholesterol, is there is not enough HDL, which is the good cholesterol to balance out the LDL, or the bad cholesterol. LDL is what can cause plaque to form in the arteries. When the built up plaque ruptures, a blood clot is formed, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. In our skit, the main character suffers form plaque buildup in his arteries. After showing symptoms of a heart attack, he is taken in for surgery where a catheter is put up his artery to the one that is blocked. A small balloon on the end of the catheter is inflated, widening the artery and causing blood flow to be less obstructed. In some cases, there is also a stent put into the blood vessel. Stents are a mesh tube that are expanded on the outside of the balloon and are left in the blood vessel to keep it from closing.

When were stents invented?

Who identified plaque in the arteries as a cause of heart attacks?

Who creates stress tests for heart attack symptoms?