Risk Factors for Heart Disease:
There are 2 types of risk factors "Non-modifiable" and "Modifiable". Non-modifiable risk factors are factors that cannot be changed and these include: Age, Gender, Family History and Ethnic Origin. Modifiable risk factors are factors susceptible to change with changes to a persons attitude, behaviour and lifestyle or through prescription of medication and these include: Smoking, Hyperlipidaemia, Hypertension, Inactivity, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Fibrinogen Levels, Excess Alcohol and Psychosocial.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:
AGE:
Coronary Heart Disease increases steadily with age as the coronary arteries progressively degenerate. It rarely occurs before the age of 30.
GENDER:
Men develop Coronary Heart Disease at a younger age than women as women appear to be protected by oestrogen, but by the age of 60 incidences in women accelerates. A combinationof age and other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the chances of developing Coronary Heart Disease. FAMILY HISTORY:
Coronary Heart Disease can run in families. The risk of developing it can increase by 30% if one parent developed Coronary Heart disease before the age of 55 and increases by 50% if both parents had early Coronary Heart Disease.
ETHNIC ORIGIN:
Studies have shown that South Asian communities have shown a higher incidence of Coronory Heart Disease and a lower than average incidence in Afro-Caribbean origin due to the differences in diets and physical activities.
MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS:
SMOKING:
The risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease in smokers is 2-3 times that of a non smokers. When a person stops smoking the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease reduces. Passive smoking also increases the risk of Coronary Heart Disease. By stoping smoking you can dramatically reduce the risk of further events occuring.
HYPERLIPIDAEMIA (High Cholesterol):
" Low-density Lipoproteins" LDLs are also known as BAD CHOLESTEROL. LDLs can begin to stick to your arteries and over time can form fatty deposits called Plaques which decreases the opening in the arteries constricting the blood flow to the Heart. HDLs "High-density Lipoproteins" are the GOOD CHOLESTEROL, HDLs are considered benefical for Cardiovascular Health.
HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure):
Often people with High Blood pressure have no symtoms. High Blood Pressure occurs when blood vessels narrow and tighten. Your heart in turn has to work harder against the increased pressure. If the heart does not recieve enough oxygen "Angina" may occur. Lifestyle changes and Medication can help control High Blood Pressure.
INACTIVITY:
The heart needs exercise to keep fit. Lack of exercise is a major factor for increasing the chances of developing Coronary Heart Disease. Regular exercise can help reduce some of the other risk factors such as High Blood Pressure, Obesity etc.
OBESITY:
BMI or Body Mass Index is a scale measuring Weight and Height, defining a person as Overweight or Obese. People who have large waist circumferences have a higher risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the body's cells either store or use glucose. People with diabetes either don't make enough insulin, or their cells are unable to use insulin effectively. This causes sugar levels to rise in the blood, a condition called hyperglycemia. High sugar levels over a long time can damage the body's organs. When combined, high sugar and high fats make diabetes a major risk factor for angina and CAD.
FIBRINOGEN LEVELS:
Fibrin is a fibrous protein involved in the clotting of blood. It is a fibrillar protein that forms a "mesh" that forms a plug or clot over a wound site. The generation of fibrin due to activation of the coagulation cascade leads to thrombosis, while ineffective generation or premature lysis of fibrin predisposes to hemorrhage.
EXCESS ALCOHOL:
Alcohol use has many of its own risks like increasing blood pressure, body weight, heart failure, addiction and accidents. People who limit their use of alcohol also have a lower risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and stroke.
PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS:
Stress may contribute to the development of CHD. Stress can trigger your arteries to narrow. This can raise your blood pressure and your risk of a heart attack. A commonly reported trigger for a heart attack is an emotionally upsetting event, especially one involving anger. Stress also may indirectly raise your risk of CHD if it makes you more likely to smoke or overeat foods high in fat and sugar.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors:
AGE:
Coronary Heart Disease increases steadily with age as the coronary arteries progressively degenerate. It rarely occurs before the age of 30.
GENDER:
Men develop Coronary Heart Disease at a younger age than women as women appear to be protected by oestrogen, but by the age of 60 incidences in women accelerates. A combinationof age and other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the chances of developing Coronary Heart Disease. FAMILY HISTORY:
Coronary Heart Disease can run in families. The risk of developing it can increase by 30% if one parent developed Coronary Heart disease before the age of 55 and increases by 50% if both parents had early Coronary Heart Disease.
ETHNIC ORIGIN:
Studies have shown that South Asian communities have shown a higher incidence of Coronory Heart Disease and a lower than average incidence in Afro-Caribbean origin due to the differences in diets and physical activities.
MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS:
SMOKING:
The risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease in smokers is 2-3 times that of a non smokers. When a person stops smoking the risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease reduces. Passive smoking also increases the risk of Coronary Heart Disease. By stoping smoking you can dramatically reduce the risk of further events occuring.
HYPERLIPIDAEMIA (High Cholesterol):
" Low-density Lipoproteins" LDLs are also known as BAD CHOLESTEROL. LDLs can begin to stick to your arteries and over time can form fatty deposits called Plaques which decreases the opening in the arteries constricting the blood flow to the Heart. HDLs "High-density Lipoproteins" are the GOOD CHOLESTEROL, HDLs are considered benefical for Cardiovascular Health.
HYPERTENSION (High Blood Pressure):
Often people with High Blood pressure have no symtoms. High Blood Pressure occurs when blood vessels narrow and tighten. Your heart in turn has to work harder against the increased pressure. If the heart does not recieve enough oxygen "Angina" may occur. Lifestyle changes and Medication can help control High Blood Pressure.
INACTIVITY:
The heart needs exercise to keep fit. Lack of exercise is a major factor for increasing the chances of developing Coronary Heart Disease. Regular exercise can help reduce some of the other risk factors such as High Blood Pressure, Obesity etc.
OBESITY:
BMI or Body Mass Index is a scale measuring Weight and Height, defining a person as Overweight or Obese. People who have large waist circumferences have a higher risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the body's cells either store or use glucose. People with diabetes either don't make enough insulin, or their cells are unable to use insulin effectively. This causes sugar levels to rise in the blood, a condition called hyperglycemia. High sugar levels over a long time can damage the body's organs. When combined, high sugar and high fats make diabetes a major risk factor for angina and CAD.
FIBRINOGEN LEVELS:
Fibrin is a fibrous protein involved in the clotting of blood. It is a fibrillar protein that forms a "mesh" that forms a plug or clot over a wound site. The generation of fibrin due to activation of the coagulation cascade leads to thrombosis, while ineffective generation or premature lysis of fibrin predisposes to hemorrhage.
EXCESS ALCOHOL:
Alcohol use has many of its own risks like increasing blood pressure, body weight, heart failure, addiction and accidents. People who limit their use of alcohol also have a lower risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and stroke.
PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS:
Stress may contribute to the development of CHD. Stress can trigger your arteries to narrow. This can raise your blood pressure and your risk of a heart attack. A commonly reported trigger for a heart attack is an emotionally upsetting event, especially one involving anger. Stress also may indirectly raise your risk of CHD if it makes you more likely to smoke or overeat foods high in fat and sugar.
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