Cardiovascular Disease
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
• Modifiable (controllable)
• Non-modifiable (non-controllable)
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
• Age
• Sex
– Males
– Transgender research
regarding hormone
treatment may indicate
increased risks
• Race
• Genetics and Family
History
Modifiable Risk Factors
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Hypertension
Blood Lipids
Smoking
Physical Activity
Diabetes
Obesity
Inflammation
Stress
Substance Abuse
Blood Pressure
• Blood pressure is the
force blood applies to
arterial walls
• High blood pressure =
“hypertension”
Hypertension
• High blood pressure
exerted against walls
of arteries can cause
damage
– Bleeding & clotting
– Plaque accumulation
– Blood pressure
simulator
Hypertension
Hypertension
• Over time,
hypertension can
enlarge heart (muscle
thickens due to
increased work)
• Enlarged heart over
time may lose
efficiency
Blood Lipids
• Amount of fat present in the blood
• Main markers
– Total cholesterol
– LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein aka “the bad
cholesterol”)
• When LDL is damaged, it can adhere to blood vessels
– HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein aka “the good
cholesterol”)
• Lowered risk unless HDL is dysfunctional
– Triglycerides
Smoking
• Nicotine can increase
blood pressure
• Chemicals in smoke can
damage artery lining
• Gases in smoke can
interfere with oxygen
delivery
– Heart must work harder
• Smoking can lower HDL
Physical Activity
• Regular aerobic activity
can reduce risk
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Walking
Running
Bicycling
Others?
• Reduction in blood
pressure
• Blood lipid improvement
– Increased HDL
– Reduced total cholesterol
Diabetes
• Type I and Type II
– Type II = much more common
• Increased risk for blood vessel damage
– Vulnerability to other risk factors
Inflammation
• Markers for
inflammation in the
blood increase risk
– C-reactive protein
• Inflammation can
contribute to vessel
lining damage
Your Turn: Stress
• What are the mechanisms behind how stress
can increase risk for cardiovascular disease?