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
Other Factors Linked to CVD Table
