1.7.1 Risk Factors

• What does cardiovascular disease (CVD) refer to?

  Heart and blood vessels
• Coronary heart disease is an example of a CVD
• Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in arteries that often leads to CVD.
• Match the CVD risk factor with its impact:

  Smoking ↔️ Damages blood vessels

  High Blood Pressure ↔️ Strains heart

  High Cholesterol ↔️ Atherosclerosis

  Physical Inactivity ↔️ Obesity
• Smoking damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure
• What type of cholesterol contributes to atherosclerosis?

  LDL
• Lack of regular exercise contributes to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• What effect does diabetes have on blood vessels and nerves?

  Damages them
• Steps to reduce the risk of CVD through lifestyle changes

  1️⃣ Quit smoking

  2️⃣ Lower high blood pressure

  3️⃣ Reduce high cholesterol

  4️⃣ Maintain a healthy weight

  5️⃣ Increase physical activity

  6️⃣ Manage diabetes
• Quitting smoking improves blood vessel health and reduces blood pressure
• What are modifiable risk factors for CVD?

  Behaviors that can change
• Smoking damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure
• High blood pressure strains the heart and blood vessels.
• Match the risk factor with its impact on CVD:

  High Cholesterol ↔️ Contributes to atherosclerosis

  Obesity ↔️ Increases risk of high blood pressure

  Diabetes ↔️ Damages blood vessels and nerves
• Steps to reduce CVD risk through lifestyle changes

  1️⃣ Quit smoking

  2️⃣ Reduce high blood pressure

  3️⃣ Lower LDL cholesterol

  4️⃣ Increase physical activity
• What are modifiable risk factors for CVD?

  Behaviors that can change
• Smoking damages blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
• High levels of LDL cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis
• How does obesity impact CVD risk?

  Increases high blood pressure
• Physical inactivity contributes to obesity and high blood pressure.
• Match the CVD condition with its description:

  Coronary Heart Disease ↔️ Plaque buildup in arteries

  Stroke ↔️ Reduced blood flow to brain

  Peripheral Artery Disease ↔️ Reduced blood flow to limbs
• Modifiable risk factors for CVD are conditions that can be changed to decrease risk
• How does smoking impact CVD?

  Damages blood vessels
• High cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.
• Steps to reduce CVD risk through lifestyle changes

  1️⃣ Quit smoking

  2️⃣ Improve diet

  3️⃣ Increase physical activity

  4️⃣ Manage blood pressure
• What are modifiable risk factors for CVD?

  Lifestyle and health conditions
• Smoking increases blood pressure and damages blood vessels.
• High cholesterol levels contribute to the formation of plaque
• How does obesity affect the heart?

  Increases stress on heart
• Non-modifiable risk factors for CVD include age, family history, and genetics
• Match the non-modifiable risk factor with its impact on CVD:

  Age ↔️ Risk increases with age

  Family History ↔️ Genetic predisposition

  Genetics ↔️ Increases CVD risk
• How does increasing age affect CVD risk?

  Increases the risk
• Genetic conditions affecting heart health can increase the risk of CVD
• A person with a family history of heart disease is at higher risk of CVD.
• What is the key difference between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors?

  Modifiable factors can change
• Risk factors for CVD can be categorized as modifiable and non-modifiable.
• Match the modifiable risk factor with its impact on CVD:

  Smoking ↔️ Promotes atherosclerosis

  High Blood Pressure ↔️ Increases risk of heart attack

  High Cholesterol ↔️ Contributes to plaque formation
• High cholesterol contributes to plaque formation, leading to atherosclerosis
• What are the two primary effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system?

  Damages vessels, increases pressure
• High blood pressure strains the heart and arteries