Cardiovascular Diseases Unit 5: Lifestyle Diseases

Heart Disease is the number one killer in the United States. What is Heart Disease? A general term that covers a number of diseases which affect the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart- failure and angina. Heart Disease is the number one killer in the United States.

What Causes Heart Disease? Atherosclerosis-fatty deposits of cholesterol Hypertension- high blood pressure.

Coronary Artery Disease Occurs when the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle become blocked. Partially blocked it causes angina. Fully blocked it causes a heart attack!

Heart Attack Symptoms: uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing pain, pain spreading to the shoulders, neck and arms. Chest discomfort and light headedness Anxiety/nervousness Paleness Increased irregular heart rate If you or someone you know is having these symptoms call 911!

Congestive Heart Failure Fits under the description of heart disease. Does not mean the heart has failed, simply means the heart is not doing an efficient job. It results from an injury or a reduction of function of the heart muscle. Can be due to artheriosclerosis, hypertension, a heart attack, rheumatic fever or birth defect.

Stroke Blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked by atherosclerosis and the tissue supplied by the artery dies. Embolus – which is a traveling blood clot.

Symptoms of a Stroke If you have any of these symptoms you need Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. If you have any of these symptoms you need immediate medical attention!

Changeable Risk Factors Hypertension Cholesterol Obesity Physical Inactivity Cigarette Smoking Alcohol Intake

Also known as High Blood Pressure Hypertension Also known as High Blood Pressure Most of the time, there are no symptoms. For most patients, high blood pressure is found when they visit their health care provider or have it checked elsewhere.

Cholesterol Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance found among the lipids in the bloodstream and in all of your body’s cells. Everybody needs cholesterol, it serves a vital function in the body. It is a component of the nerve tissue of the brain and spinal cord as well as other major organs. We get cholesterol from two ways. Our bodies make it and the rest comes from animal products we eat. It is a major component of the plaque that clogs arteries.

Good vs. Bad HDL is known as the good cholesterol. It helps carry some of the bad cholesterol out of the body. It does not have the tendency to clog arteries. Levels should be >35. LDL is known as bad cholesterol. It has a tendency to increase risk of CHD. LDL’s are a major component of the atherosclerotic plaque that clogs arteries. Levels should be <130

Obesity People who are obese have 2 to 6 times the risk of developing hypertension. Location of the body fat is significant. Pears of apples?

Physical Inactivity Increasing physical activity has been shown to decrease blood pressure. Moderate to intense physical activity for 30-45 minutes on most days of the week is recommended.

Cigarette Smoking Causes an increase in blood pressure Usually have lower levels of HDL Within 1 year of quitting, CHD risk decreases, within 2 years it reaches the level of a nonsmoker.

In large amounts it acts as a vasoconstrictor-BAD! 3-4 drinks Alcohol Consumption In large amounts it acts as a vasoconstrictor-BAD! 3-4 drinks