Diet and Health

• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels
• CVD


  • Usually associated with atherosclerosis (formation of hard plaques in artery lining)
  • Usually associated with thrombosis (formation of blood clots in arteries)
• Risk factors


  Factors that can be linked to an increased risk of a disease
• Types of risk factors


  • Aspects of a person's lifestyle
  • Substances in a person's body or environment
  • Genetic predispositions
  • Other biological factors
• Many diseases are caused by the interaction of a number of factors
• Some risk factors, such as those related to lifestyle, are to some extent under the control of the individual
• Other risk factors are outside of an individual's control, such as genetics, biological sex, and age
• Lifestyle factors linked to CVD


  • Diet high in cholesterol
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol intake
• Other factors linked to CVD


  • Age
  • Biological sex
  • Genetics
  • Air pollution
  • Asbestos
• Correlation


  A change in one variable occurs at the same time as a change in another variable
• Causation


  The change in one variable causes the change in another variable
• Correlation between a risk factor and a disease does not always mean that a causal relationship exists
• Interpreting quantitative data from studies


  1. Describing data

  2. Drawing conclusions from data

  3. Evaluating the validity of data
• Larger sample sizes are more likely to give valid results as the sample is more likely to be representative of the population in question
• Results are considered to be valid if they measure what they set out to measure, are not influenced by external variables or poor experimental design, and have been analysed correctly
• Statistical analysis should be used to check that any differences between results are statistically significant
• Some studies need to have a control with which to compare the results
• Studies should be repeated, or there should be many studies that show the same result, before conclusions can be drawn
• The study should be designed to control any variable that is not being tested
• Researchers should not be biased, i.e. looking for a particular outcome
• Evidence from one study is not enough to conclude that a risk factor is a risk to health or associated with a particular disease
• When conflicting evidence arises, more research is needed to show which pattern is correct
• Conflicting evidence is often a sign that other variables are involved
• Evaluating experimental design


  • Sample size and representativeness
  • Control of variables
  • Reliability and validity of data
  • Use of controls
  • Repetition and reproducibility
• Risk


  The chance or probability that a harmful event will occur
• Risk can be overestimated or underestimated due to various factors
• Factors that can lead to overestimation of risk


  • Misleading information in the media
  • Overexposure to information
  • Personal experience of the associated risk
  • Unfamiliarity with the event
  • The event causing severe harm
• Factors that can lead to underestimation of risk


  • Lack of information
  • Misunderstanding of factors that increase the risk
  • Lack of personal experience of the associated risk
  • Unfamiliarity with the event
  • The harm being non-immediate
• Treatment of CVD


  Reducing risk factors and lowering the risk of developing CVD is the best option, but treatment options are still needed
• Types of medication for the treatment of CVD

  • Antihypertensives
  • Statins
  • Anticoagulants
  • Platelet inhibitors
• Antihypertensives


  Work by lowering blood pressure to reduce the risk of arterial endothelial damage and therefore reduce the risk of atheromas and thrombosis
• Types of antihypertensives


  • Beta blockers
  • Vasodilators
  • Diuretics
• Statins


  Work by lowering blood cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver needed to make cholesterol, lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and reducing the risk of atheroma formation
• Anticoagulants


  Work by reducing the risk of blood clots forming
• Types of medication for the treatment of CVD


  • Antihypertensives
  • Statins
  • Anticoagulants
  • Platelet inhibitors
• Antihypertensives


  These drugs work by lowering blood pressure
• High blood pressure


  Also known as hypertension
• Lowering blood pressure


  Reduces the risk of arterial endothelial damage and therefore reduces the risk of atheromas and thrombosis
• Antihypertensives


  • Beta blockers
  • Vasodilators
  • Diuretics
• Beta blockers


  Prevent increases in heart rate