less than 90 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or diastolic pressure being less than 60 mm Hg.
However, in practice, blood pressure is considered too low only if noticeable symptoms are
present, such as feeling light headed. If the blood pressure is sufficiently low, fainting and
often seizures will occur. Severely low blood pressure can deprive the brain and other vital
organs of oxygen and nutrients, leading to a life-threatening condition calledshock.StrokeA stroke results when a clot, burst artery or blood vessel interrupts flow of blood to the brain,
resulting in glucose and oxygen not reaching the brain. This causes impairment in speech,
movement and memory. Larger strokes can result in paralysis or death.AneurysmAn aneurysm is a localised blood-filled bubble in an artery wall. These bubbles form due
to a weakness in the blood vessel wall and can grow quite large. Aneurysms can occur in
many places in the body, including the brain, abdomen or aorta. When aneurysms burst,
they result in massive internal blood loss and death.Treatment of heart diseases DUMMY
We will now examine some of the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.StentsThis is when a thin wire coil with an inflatable balloon at the one end is inserted into the
blocked coronary artery to open up the blockage. The stent, balloon end, is inserted into the
coronary artery. Once in position where the blockage in the balloon is then gently inflated
to open the artery and remove the blockage. The stent is left in the artery so that the artery
does not block again.246 8.4. Cardiovascular diseases