Reducing your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter Nine Enhancing Your Cardiovascular Health


Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular•Pertaining to the heart (cardio) and the blood

vessels (vasculara)

Estimated Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Diseases Hypertension 72,000,000 Coronary heart disease 15,800,000 Stroke 5,700,000 Congestive heart failure 5,200,000 Congenital heart disease 1,300,000


The Vascular System

Refers to the blood vessels Arteries carry blood away from the heart

• Arterioles are smaller-diameter extensions of arteries Veins carry blood back into the heart

• Venules are smaller-diameter extensions of veins Capillaries

• Smallest extensions of the vascular system• Site of exchange of oxygen, food, and waste


Deaths from Cardiovascular Disease


The Heart Four-chambered pump Size of a fist Function:

• Creates pressure to circulate blood throughout the body

Location:• Left center of the thorax (between lungs)

Signal sends impulses from brain to the heart Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKG) measures the

cardiac electrical functioning


Circulation through the Heart


Blood Functions of the circulatory system

• Transportation of nutrients, oxygen, waste products

• Regulation of water content of cells

• Regulation of body temperature

• Buffering of ph level

• Prevention of blood loss

• Protection against toxins and microorganisms by circulating antibodies within the bloodstream

Average person has 5 quarts of blood


Risk Factors That Cannot Be Changed

Increasing age• Most people who die from heart disease are age 65

and older Male gender

• Before age 55, men have a greater risk of heart disease than women do

• After menopause, women’s rates of heart disease increase

Heredity• Family history• Race/ethnicity


Risk Factors That Can Be Changed

Major Risk Factors: The “Big Six”• Tobacco smoke

• Physical inactivity

• Abnormal blood cholesterol levels

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes mellitus

• Obesity and overweight

Contributing Risk Factor• Individual responses to stress


Risk Factors That Can Be Changed1. Tobacco smoke

Increases risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death

Affects nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

Quitting leads to a reduced risk of heart disease

2. Physical inactivity Exercise strengthens the heart muscle,

maintains healthy blood vessels Lowers cholesterol levels Encourages weight loss and retention of

lean muscle mass Moderates stress



3. Abnormal Blood Cholesterol LevelsClassification of Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL, and HDL

Normal or Desirable

Borderline-High

High

Total cholesterol

< 200 200-239 ≥ 240

Triglycerides < 150 150-199 ≥ 200

LDL cholesterol

< 130 130-159 ≥ 160

Low Normal High (Desirable)

HDL cholesterol

< 40 40-59 ≥ 60



4. High blood pressure Damages heart and blood vessels

5. Diabetes mellitus Increases risk of heart and blood vessel

disease Linked to abnormal levels of cholesterol and

other blood fats

6. Obesity and overweight Abdominal obesity is especially risky


Metabolic Syndrome Risk factors often appear in a group

Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome• Elevated waist circumference

• Men: ≥ 40 inches• Women: ≥ 35 inches

• Elevated triglycerides• ≥ 150 mg/dL

• Reduced HDL cholesterol• Men: < 40 mg/dL• Women: < 50 mg/dL

• Elevated blood pressure• ≥ 130/85 mmHg

• Elevated fasting glucose • ≥ 100 mg/dL


Forms of Cardiovascular Disease

Coronary heart disease Hypertension Stroke Congenital heart disease Rheumatic heart disease Congestive heart failure Diseases of the arteries Arrhythmias


Coronary Heart Disease

Damage to vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle

Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque on the inner walls of arteries

Myocardial infarction (heart attack): Death of part of the heart muscle

Biomarkers•Homocysteine•High sensitivity C-reactive protein


Progression of Atherosclerosis


Cholesterol and Lipoproteins Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)• “Bad” cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)• “Good” cholesterol

To improve cholesterol levels:•Reduce saturated fat intake

•Reduce cholesterol intake

•Reduce caloric intake to control weight


Coronary Heart Disease

Angina pectoris: Chest pain with stress or exertion Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain,

shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, back or jaw pain

Emergency treatment: CPR and AEDs

Diagnosis• Blood tests• Vital signs• Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram• Coronary arteriography• PET, EBCT, and MRI• Nuclear medicine


Coronary Heart Disease Surgical treatments•Coronary artery bypass surgery

• Provides alternative routes for blood to take around points of blockage

•Percutaneous coronary intervention• A slender balloon-tipped tube is used to flatten

plaque and widen an artery

•Heart transplant Nonsurgical treatments•Medications, including aspirin


Percutaneous Coronary Intervention


Hypertension

Symptoms: “Silent killer” (no symptoms) Screening: Regular checks of resting blood pressure Effects: Heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, eye damage

Classification

Blood pressure (mm Hg)

Normal Prehypertension Hypertension

Systolic (top number)

Less than 120 120-139 140 or higher

Diastolic (bottom number)

Less than 80 80-89 90 or higher


Hypertension Prevention and treatment•Weight reduction

•Physical activity

•Moderation in alcohol use

•DASH eating plans

•Salt restriction

•Stress reduction

•Medication


Stroke Blockage of vessel to the brain Types of stroke

• Cerebrovascular occlusions• Cerebral hemorrhage• Cerebral aneurysm

Warning sign: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) Diagnosis

• Computerized axial tomography (CT) scan• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Treatment• Clot dissolving drugs• Cell-rebuilding drugs


Causes of Stroke


Congenital Heart Disease Abnormalities present at birth

• Caused by environmental factors or illness

Types• Valve damage

• Holes in the walls of the septum

• Blood vessel transportation

• Underdevelopment of left side of the heart

Treatment• Surgery may be performed to repair malformations


Rheumatic Heart Disease Chronic damage to the heart (especially

the valves) Result of streptococcal infection in the

heart•Complication of rheumatic fever

Damage tends to occur in valves of the heart

Diagnosis: X-rays, echocardiogram Treatment: Surgery


Congestive Heart Failure Inability of the heart to pump out all the blood

that returns to it• Fluid accumulates in veins, lungs, and kidneys

Caused by heart damage from other causes Treatment

• Rest• Proper diet• Modified daily activities• Use of appropriate drugs


Diseases of the Arteries

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Blood vessel disease involving changes to the

arteries and arterioles in the extremities Causes

• Cigarette smoking• Obesity• High-fat diet• Sedentary occupations

Treatment• Blood vessel surgery• Medication• Modified lifestyle


CVD Prevention Avoid tobacco Choose a healthy diet Be physically active Control body weight Manage stress Get regular screenings


Chapter Nine: Enhancing Your Cardiovascular Health

Reducing your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Reducing your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease