Cardiovascular Health - Cardiovascular risk factors Flashcards
Q: What factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
Family history, genetics, ethnicity, gender, obesity, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet.
Q: How does a family history impact CVD risk?
Siblings of CVD patients have a 40% higher risk, and offspring of parents with premature CVD have a 60–75% higher risk.
Q: How does ethnicity affect CVD risk?
People of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin have an increased risk of CVD.
Q: Why is CVD risk underestimated in women?
Women tend to experience vague symptoms (e.g., lightheadedness), which are often mistaken for menopause or heartburn.
Q: What role does elevated homocysteine play in CVD?
It contributes to LDL oxidation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation, raising the risk of CVD.
Q: How does obesity contribute to CVD?
Obesity increases inflammation, raises endothelin-1 (ET-1), and reduces adiponectin, contributing to insulin resistance and higher blood pressure.
Q: How does insulin resistance (IR) affect CVD?
IR leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidaemia, contributing to atherosclerosis and endothelial damage.
Q: What are advanced glycation end products (AGEs)?
AGEs are harmful compounds formed when proteins or lipids react with glucose, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular damage.
Q: How does smoking increase CVD risk?
Smoking increases oxidative stress, lowers antioxidants, stimulates the SNS, and raises blood pressure.
Q: How does a sedentary lifestyle affect CVD?
Lack of exercise worsens lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity, and blood pressure, increasing CVD risk.
Q: How does chronic stress contribute to CVD?
Stress activates the SNS, raises blood pressure and heart rate, and increases inflammatory cytokines, leading to endothelial dysfunction.
Q: What is the impact of periodontal disease on CVD?
Periodontal disease increases systemic inflammation, leading to endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness.
Q: How do heavy metals affect CVD risk?
Heavy metals induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and a zinc deficiency can increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
Q: How does melatonin deficiency affect cardiovascular health?
Melatonin deficiency reduces antioxidant protection and contributes to higher blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Q: How does the gut-brain axis influence CVD risk?
SCFAs from the microbiota help maintain intestinal barrier integrity, reduce lipid levels, and lower CVD and insulin resistance risks.
Q: How do diet and nutrition affect CVD risk?
High PRAL, trans fats, fructose, and nutrient deficiencies (e.g., vitamin C, D, E) can contribute to inflammation, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction.
