Minor Risk Factors for CVD Flashcards
What are the seven minor risk factors for CVD?
Low antioxidants, smoking, high salt, high stress, high alcohol intake, inactivity and genes/hereditary
What are radicals and why are they bad?
They are are unstable atoms that are highly reactive, they can damage many cell components including genetic material
Why is eating fruit/vegetables important?
They include vitamins that can protect against radical damage. They provide hydrogen atoms that pair up with the unpaired electron to stabilise the radical.
Why is a high salt diet bad?
Because salt causes the kidneys to retain water, higher fluid levels in the blood result in elevated blood pressure which is a CVD risk factor
Why is high stress bad for blood pressure?
Because in stressful situations adrenaline is released causing arteries to constrict which results in high blood pressure.
Why is stress also bad?
Because stress also leads to poor diet and sometimes overconsumption of alcohol
Why is high alcohol intake bad for CVD?
Because alcohol raises blood pressure, contributes to obesity and can cause an irregular heart beat
Why is high alcohol intake also bad for the body?
Excess alcohol can result in direct tissue damage including damage to the liver, heart and brain.
Why is damage to liver cells bad for CVD?
Damage to liver cells impairs the livers ability to remove glucose and lipids from the blood, therefore they can build up
Why is the nicotine in cigarettes bad for CVD?
Nicotine stimulates the production of the hormone adrenaline, this increases heart rate and also causes arteries and arterioles to constrict
Why are the chemicals found in cigarette smoke bad?
Because they can cause damage to the lining of the arteries, triggering atherosclerosis.
How does smoking reduce the supply of oxygen to cells?
Carbon monoxide from smoke is carried in haemoglobin instead of oxygen, this increases heart rate as the body reacts to provide enough oxygen to cells
What does smoking also reduce?
HDL levels
What can moderate exercise prevent?
High blood pressure, it can also lower pressure and helps raise HDL levels whilst also reducing the risk of developing type two diabetes
What can several genes affect?
Your likelihood of developing CVD
Why are genes not the sole reason for developing CVD?
Because CVD is more the consequence of poor diet, lifestyle and your social environment
