GCSE Physical Education
The Effect of Lifestyle on the
Cardiovascular System
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson pupils should:

The need for rest and recovery time

The impact of diet on the cardiovascular
system, in particular how it can effect
blood pressure and cholesterol

The effects of recreational drugs
Rest
Rest

Rest - the period of time allotted to
recovery

Rest is essential to recovery and to
allow the body to adapt

Specifically, rest allows the heart to
grow in size and thickness and for
the number of capillaries to increase
Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Factors that may have a negative effect on the
cardiovascular system and increase the risk of
coronary heart disease include:

High cholesterol

Recreational drugs

Sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise

Stress
High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance carried
in the blood by lipoproteins
Lipoprotein come in two forms:

High density lipoprotein (HDL)

Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Contains more protein than fat and
is referred to as ‘good cholesterol’

Carries cholesterol away from the
arteries to the liver, which removes
it from the body

Foods rich in HDL include fruit,
vegetables, whole grains, and
legumes
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Consists mainly of fat and is known as ‘bad
cholesterol’

Is the major cause of cholesterol in the
blood, and can lead to a build-up of
plaque which can restrict blood flow in
the arteries

Blockages in the blood vessels mean
that the heart has to work harder to pump
blood around the body, resulting in an
increase in blood pressure
High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be caused by a diet
high in LDL, such as saturated fat (bad fat).

Cholesterol only becomes a problem when
the level in the blood is too high

More cholesterol than the body needs can
cause a build up of fatty deposits (plaque)
in the arteries and lead to heart problems

This can increase the risk of coronary heart
disease
Recreational Drugs
Recreational Drugs

Nicotine raises blood pressure because
they release adrenaline. Adrenaline
constricts the arteries and causes the heart
to beat faster

Tobacco smoke is a major risk of heart
disease. Smoking lowers HDL (‘good
cholesterol’) and increases chance of blood
clotting

Some people have to take prescription
drugs to control blood pressure
Sedentary Lifestyle & Lack of Exercise
Sedentary Lifestyle & Lack of Exercise

Inactivity means that the
cardiovascular system does not
receive the benefits of exercise

Sedentary living is also believed to be
one of the main reasons for
increasing rates of obesity

Sedentary living involves sitting and a
lack of exercise
Stress
Stress

The stress that may increase the risk of
cardiovascular disease is different to the
stress felt before a competition or while
taking an exam

Negative stress builds up over time and
can affect the cardiovascular system by
leading to an increase in blood pressure
and elevated heart rate

It can also lead to depression and mood
swings
Learning Objectives (Revisited)
By the end of this lesson pupils should:

The need for rest and recovery time

The impact of diet on the cardiovascular
system, in particular how it can effect
blood pressure and cholesterol

The effects of recreational drugs
Thank you
Any questions, please do not hesitate
to ask