Cardiovascular Disease (Edexcel A (SNAB) A Level Biology)

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Cara Head

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Cara Head

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Cardiovascular Disease

  • There are many lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
    • CVD is a general term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels
    • It is usually associated with
      • Atherosclerosis; the formation of hard plaques in the artery lining
      • Thrombosis; the formation of blood clots in the arteries
  • Risk factors are factors that can be linked to an increased risk of a disease
    • Exposure to a risk factor doesn’t guarantee that an individual will suffer a disease, e.g. a person who smokes regularly isn’t guaranteed to develop lung cancer but their risk compared to someone who doesn’t smoke is much higher
    • Certain risk factors are correlated with certain diseases, but correlations are not always causations
  • Risk factors can be
    • Aspects of a person’s lifestyle such as the food they eat or whether or not they drink alcohol
    • Substances in a person’s body or environment such as air pollution in a crowded city or asbestos in old buildings
    • Genetic predispositions to developing certain diseases
    • Other biological factors such as age or biological sex
  • Many diseases are caused by the interaction of a number of factors
    • E.g. the chance of developing CVD is higher in individuals who have a diet high in cholesterol, don’t exercise regularly, and smoke; all of these behaviours increase the likelihood of damage occurring to the arteries
  • Some factors, such as those related to lifestyle, are to some extent under the control of the individual
    • It is usually possible to make decisions about diet, smoking, alcohol intake, and exercise levels
    • Note that scientists are becoming increasingly aware that the best choices are easier to make for some than others; unhealthy food choices are often cheaper and easier, and not everyone has time to exercise
  • Other factors are outside of an individual's control, such as genetics, biological sex, and age

Lifestyle Factors Linked to CVD Table

lifestyle-factors-linked-to-cvd-table

Other Factors Linked to CVD Table

other-factors-linked-to-cvd-table

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding