1.3 - Risk factors for CVD Flashcards
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What is a risk?
a measure of the probability of occurrence of an unwanted event or outcome, usually in terms of a hazard that can cause harm
What is a case control study?
Observational study where two existing groups of people are compared
What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
Smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, poor diet (saturated fats), alcohol, lack of exercise
What is the difference between correlation and causation?
Correlation is things that link (as one increases other increases), causation is something that directly causes the other
What is relative risk?
Risk is quite often measured by comparing the likelihood of harm occurring in those exposed against those not exposed. E.g. smokers versus non-smokers and incidence of lung cancer.
What is null hypothesis?
They assume that there will be no difference between the control group and the experiment group and then test this using statistical analysis.
What is obesity and why is it a risk factor for CVD?
- BMI over 30
- increased excess fat
- Why: Raises blood pressure, increased lipid levels, Increased risk of type 2 diabetes which causes damage to arteries leading to atherosclerosis
What is high blood pressure and why is it a risk factor for CVD?
- When your blood pressure reading are higher than 140/90 mmHg
- Why: Puts extra strain on blood vessels, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, forces heart to work harder to pump blood to rest of the body, causes left ventricle to thicken causing a heart attack
What is blood cholesterol and why is it a risk factor for CVD?
- lipoprotein which transport all fat molecules around the body in the extracellular water
- Why: Saturated fats can increase CVD or a buildup of fatty cholesterol in the arteries/ veins - can cause a heart attack
What is smoking and why is it a risk factor for CVD?
- Act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco
- Why: can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs (alveoli) found in your lungs. Smoke chemicals cause the cells that line blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This can narrow the blood vessels and can lead to many cardiovascular conditions
Why is lack of activity a risk factor for CVD?
Can lead to fatty material building up in arteries which causes the arteries to be damaged and can lead to a heart attack
Why are genetics a risk factor for CVD?
Certain individuals are at a higher risk for CVD development as a direct result of their genetic makeup
Why is alcohol a risk factor for CVD?
Can increase blood pressure because it increases the amount of calcium that binds to blood vessels
Why is salt a risk factor for CVD?
Eating too much salt can make it harder for your kidneys to remove fluid, Can increase risk of high blood pressure and puts strain on the heart
Why is stress a risk factor of CVD?
the high levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure.