Cardiovascular Disease

Caused by Atherosclerosis –Blocked artery By plaque Arteriosclerosis –“Hardening of the arteries”

Coronary Artery Disease Plaque buildup in arteries of the heart No outward symptoms Can produce a myocardial infarction –Heart attack –Due to blocked artery

Stroke Third most frequent cause of death Blocked artery in the brain Due to –arteriosclerosis Common stroke –Blocked artery Hemorrhagic stroke –Burst blood vessel

Hypertension Abnormally high blood pressure Best predictor of heart attack and stroke

Declining death rates in cardiovascular disease Due to: –Better diet –Reduction in cigarette smoking –Improved emergency care

Framingham Heart Study Risk factors for heart disease –Cigarette smoking –High cholesterol –Hypertension –Sedentary lifestyle –Obesity

Framingham Heart Study LDL - Low-density lipoprotein –Positively related to cardiovascular disease –“L” = Lousy High-density lipoprotein –Protection against heart disease

Cholesterol Total cholesterol –= LDL + HDL + Triglycerides Ratio Total cholesterol to HDL e.g. 4.5:1 Lower is better

Periodontal (gum) disease & CVD Chronic inflammation = increased risk of CVD Anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin) Lowers risk of heart attack

Smoking Less smoking = lower cardiovascular death

Diet Fruits, vegetables & fish reduce heart attack (CVD) risk

Social support Single, divorced, or widowed men = most at risk of CVD Marriage & social support help

Anger Anger increased risk of heart attack (CVD)

Hostility Cynical hostility = especially harmful to CV health

Optimistic bias “It won’t happen to me.”

Hypertension = High Blood Pressure Reducing it is difficult because No visible symptoms To reduce it: Lose weight Reduce salt Better diet Fruits, vegetable, whole grain, low-fat dairy Regular physical activity

Effect of nonfatal heart attack on sex Fear of having sex Not justified