Risk Factors for Heart Disease Flashcards
What is riks?
The likelihood of something unfavourable happening
What are the risk factors for heart disease (lifestyle factors)?
Diet (saturated fat and salt)
Smoking
High blood pressure caused by:
- Obesity/diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Lack of exercise
What are the risk factors for heart disease (non-lifestyle factors)?
Age
Sex
Genetics
Why does a diet high in saturated fats increase the risk of CVDs?
It increases the blood cholesterol which increases the rate of atheroma formation
Why does a diet high in salt increase the risk of CVDs?
It increases the risk of blood pressure
What are lipoproteins?
Special particles made up of a single layer of phospholipids, proteins and cholesterol
What are the two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol around in theblood?
LDLs (low density lipoproteins)
HDLs (high density lipoproteins)
Why is cholesterol important and needs to be delivered to cells?
It is an important component of cell membranes
What happens to excess cholesterol that is not needed by cells?
Is transported to the liver where it is broken down
Describe in detail HDLs (helpful lipoproteins)
They transport cholesterol from cells back to the liver to be broken down
They have more protein and have less cholesterol than the LDLs
They reduce blood cholesterol when the levels are too high and are thus helpful
Which lipoproteins help reduce blood cholesterol levels?
HDLs
Which lipoproteins have more cholesterol and less proteins?
LDLs
Describe in detail HDLs (lowsy lipoproteins)
LDLs transport cholesterol from liver back to cells and thus raise blood cholesterol
LDLs are made out of lipid, little protein and lots of cholesterol
They increase blood cholesterol level when the level is too low
Why is the concentration of cholesterol in the blood largely determined by your genetics?
Because the HDLs:LDLs is determined by your genes
What increases the rate of LDL:HDL ratio (this is bad)
Increased saturated fat in diet
What reduces the rate of LDL:HDL ratio (this is good)
Increased (poly)unsaturated fat in diet
How do saturated fats increase the LDL:HDL ratio?
They reduce the activity of LDL receptors so LDLs are not removed from the blood
What factors increase blood pressure?
Excess:
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Salt
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
What does a high blood pressure increase the risk of?
Increases the risk of damaging the endothelium of arteries
If this happens, atheromas may start to build up underneath leading. to CVD
Which organs does excessive intake of alcohol affect?
Liver, brain and heart