6.5 Factors Affecting CHD

Question 1

CHD is a collective term for diseases of the…

Answer 1

Heart and blood vessels, including angina, aneurysm and myocardial infarction

Question 2

Factors that we aren’t able to control are…

Answer 2

AGE - risk increases with age
GENDER - men are more likely, oestrogen has a protective effect against CHD in women
GENES - inherit genes that predispose them to CHD
ETHNICITY - genetic factor, cultural factor
DIABETES - people with type 1/2 more likely to develop CHD

Question 3

Factors that we can control…

Answer 3

SMOKING - increases blood pressure and makes the blood more likely to clot
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) - leads to thickening and hardening of the walls, causes damage to the lining of the arteries, making atheroma more likely to develop
DIET - high levels of sat. fats increase blood cholesterol levels and therefore increases the chances of developing CHD. High salt levels increase blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids seem to protect agains CHD, antioxidants (vitamin c/d and carotene) also protect against CHD
ACTIVITY LEVELS - aerobic exercise lowers blood cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure and reduces obesity. These all reduce the chances of developing CHD