Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease.

Did you know that…. In the UK, someone has a heart attack every 2 minutes, that’s 260,000 people per year. In the UK, someone has a heart attack every 2 minutes, that’s 260,000 people per year. Almost 2.6 million people have CHD. Almost 2.6 million people have CHD. CHD causes about 114,000 deaths a year. That’s 1 in 5 deaths in men and 1 in 6 deaths in women. CHD causes about 114,000 deaths a year. That’s 1 in 5 deaths in men and 1 in 6 deaths in women.

What is a Risk Factor? A Risk Factor is something that increases one’s chance of harming oneself A Risk Factor is something that increases one’s chance of harming oneself E.g. Crossing the Bristol Road without looking E.g. Crossing the Bristol Road without looking Coronary Artery Disease is associated with certain Risk Factors Coronary Artery Disease is associated with certain Risk Factors

Types of Risk Factor There are three categories of Risk Factors: There are three categories of Risk Factors: 1) Non-Modifiable 1) Non-Modifiable 2) Modifiable 2) Modifiable 3) Changeable 3) Changeable

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors Sex - male is higher risk Sex - male is higher risk Aged over 65 Aged over 65 Family History of Heart Disease Family History of Heart Disease

Ethnic background. Ethnic background. South Asians living in the UK have a higher premature death rate from CHD than average. The rate is 46% higher for men and 51% for women South Asians living in the UK have a higher premature death rate from CHD than average. The rate is 46% higher for men and 51% for women Social differences. Social differences. Death rate from CHD is 58% higher for men who are manual workers than for n one manual. The rate for female manual workers is almost twice as high. Death rate from CHD is 58% higher for men who are manual workers than for n one manual. The rate for female manual workers is almost twice as high.

Modifiable Risk Factors Diabetes Diabetes Diabetics have a 25 – 50% higher risk of CHD than non diabetics. 3% of men and 1% of women, aged over 35, are non diagnose diabetics. Diabetics have a 25 – 50% higher risk of CHD than non diabetics. 3% of men and 1% of women, aged over 35, are non diagnose diabetics. Hypertension Hypertension 34% of men & 30% of women have raised BP. In a recent WHO report raised BP was identified as the second most important cause of death and disability in developed countries, exceeded only by tobacco. 34% of men & 30% of women have raised BP. In a recent WHO report raised BP was identified as the second most important cause of death and disability in developed countries, exceeded only by tobacco. Hypercholesterolemia Hypercholesterolemia The average blood cholesterol for men is about 5.5mmol and about 5.6mmol for women. About 66% of men and women have blood cholesterol levels higher than the recommended 5.0mmol. The average blood cholesterol for men is about 5.5mmol and about 5.6mmol for women. About 66% of men and women have blood cholesterol levels higher than the recommended 5.0mmol.

Changeable Risk Factors Smoking Smoking Regular exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of CHD by ~25% Regular exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of CHD by ~25% About 28% of men and 24% of women in Britain still smoke cigarettes. About 28% of men and 24% of women in Britain still smoke cigarettes. Unhealthy Diet Unhealthy Diet About 6 out of 7 adults consume more than the recommended levels of saturated fat. Only 13% of men and 15% of women & 12% of children in Britain currently eat the recommended number of portions of fruit and vegetables.

Lack of Physical Exercise Lack of Physical Exercise Only 37% of men and 24% of women do any regular physical exercise. Over the last 25 years the average number of miles we walk (per year) has fallen by 25% whilst the average number of miles travelled by car has increased by 70%. Being Overweight Being Overweight About 43% of men and 33% of women are overweight and a further 22% of men and 33% of women are obese. About 43% of men and 33% of women are overweight and a further 22% of men and 33% of women are obese. Excess Alcohol Intake Excess Alcohol Intake 40% of men and 23% of women drink more than the daily recommended amount of alcohol. 40% of men and 23% of women drink more than the daily recommended amount of alcohol.

Risk Factor Targets Non-Smoking Non-Smoking Cholesterol less than 5 mmols Cholesterol less than 5 mmols Blood Pressure below 140/85 Blood Pressure below 140/85 Aerobic Exercise ~ 30 Mins x Week Aerobic Exercise ~ 30 Mins x Week Good Diabetic control Good Diabetic control BMI below 25 BMI below 25 Alcohol - Max 21 units men 14 units women per week Alcohol - Max 21 units men 14 units women per week