Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
What is cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for illness that affect the heart and circulation. It includes coronary heart disease and stroke
How does cardiovascular disease occur
It occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries is narrowed or blocked with fatty deposits/cholesterol. This reduces the blood supply to the heart and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood around the body.
How can it be prevented
It can be prevented by doing things to protect their heart and keep it healthy
How many deaths were due to coronary heart disease
1600
What happens if arteries become totally blocked
This means blood cannot flow to the heart and this can result in a heart attack
What is the name of the medical event that occurs when an artery to the brain becomes blocked
Stroke
What are some risk factors for CVD that are non modifiable
Getting older
Family history
Why would eating too much saturated fat caused CVD
It would increase cholesterol and that increases the risk of CVD
Why would eating too much salt caused CVD
It would increase blood pressure which puts strain on the blood vessels Whitchurch causes damage and makes harder to pump blood around the body. This increases the risk of CHD
Why would consuming too much alcohol caused CVD
It would damage the heart muscle which would cause abnormal heart rhythms and would increase blood pressure. Alcohol is also high in calories which can lead to weight gain which increases the risk of CHD
Why would smoking caused CVD
Smoking doubles the risk of CHD. It reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. It makes blood more likely to clot which reduces blood flow to the heart. This also increases the risk of heart attack. Smoking further damages the lining of the artery walls which causes a build up of fatty deposits.
Why would a lack of physical activity caused CVD
Heart muscles don’t function properly. Exercise reduces blood pressure which reduces risk of CHD. Inactivity cause obesity which increases the risk of CHD.
