Risk Factors

• A risk factor is a factor that increases the likelihood of a disease or disorder.
• Multifactorial: involving or dependent on a number of factors, especially genetic or environmental factors.
• Blood Pressure: measure of hydrostatic force of the blood against the walls of a blood vessel. blood pressure is higher in the arteries and capillaries than in veins.
• Hypertension: abnormally high blood pressure.
• Oedema: swelling of tissues due to excess fluid build up in the body
• Sphygmomanometer: A device used to measure blood pressure.
• interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells and tissues in the body
• Genetic predisposition: A tendency to develop a disease or disorder due to inherited genetic factors.
• Apolipoproteins: a protein component of plasma lipoprotein, can bind and transport blood lipids to various tissues of the body for metabolism and utilisation. It is mainly synthesised in the liver and partly in the small intestine
• Free Radicals: A molecule with an unpaired electron that can react with other molecules to form new compounds
• Antioxidants: compounds in foods that scavenge and neutralise free radicals.
• Examples of controllable risk factors

  smoking, inactivity, high blood pressure, high salt levels in diet, obesity, stress, high alcohol consumption
• examples of uncontrollable risk factors

  age, gender, genetics
• How does smoking increase the risk of CVD?

  Carbon monoxide in the smoke binds to haemoglobin instead of oxygen. This reduces the supply of oxygen to cells. This will result in an increased heart rate as the body reacts to provide enough oxygen for the cells.

  Nicotine in smoke stimulates the production of the hormone adrenaline. This hormone causes an increase in heart rate and also causes arteries and arterioles to constrict (both raise blood pressure).
• How does inactivity increase the risk of CVD?

  A person who is physically active is much more likely to survive a heart attack or stroke compared to someone who has been inactive.
• How do genes increase the risk of CVD?

  Mutations
• How does age increase the risk of CVD?

  As people age, their arteries tend to become less elastic and may be more easily damaged.
• How does gender affect the risk of CVD?

  The risk of cardiovascular disease is higher for men than women in the UK. In 2010, the incidence of heart attacks among men was 154 per 100,000, whereas the rate for women was only 34 per 100,000.
• How does high blood pressure increase the risk of CVD?

  High blood pressure increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis occurring.
• How does high salt levels in diet increase the risk of CVD?

  A high-salt diet causes the kidneys to retain water. Higher fluid-levels in the blood result in elevated blood pressure with the associated cardiovascular disease risks.
• How does obesity increase the risk of CVD?


  The more excess fat you carry, especially around your middle, the greater the risk to your heart. Obesity can also greatly increase your risk of type II diabetes which also increases your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
• How does stress increase the risk of CVD?


  In stressful situations, the release of adrenaline causes arteries and arterioles to constrict, resulting in raised blood pressure. Stress can also lead to overeating, a poor diet and higher alcohol consumption.
• How does heavy drinking of alcohol increase the risk of CVD?

  heavy drinking raises blood pressure, contributes to obesity and can cause an irregular heart beat.