Question

Heart disease remains one of the top causes of mortality in the United States. Consider the various types of heart disease. For your discussion, complete these items:

• The etiology of the selected heart disease
• Modifiable factors
• Non-modifiable factors

Answer 1

The risk factor for selected heart disease like coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease can be divided under two group

It include modifiable risk factors

               Non-modifiable risk factors

Modifiable risk factors

It means that the risk factors cannot be changed:

It include

1.age – risk increases as person get older,

2. gender – before the age of 60 men are at greater risk than women,

3.family history – The risk may increase if close blood relatives experienced early heart disease.

Non-modifiable risk factors

It means that risk factors that can be change:

It include;

• Raised or altered levels of blood cholesterol

• Raised triglycerides with low HDL-cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• Overweight and obesity

• Being inactive

• Excessive alcohol

• Excessive stress

Having more than one risk factor means the overall risk of coronary heart disease is much higher.

Blood Pressure

The high blood pressure is harmful to the arteries and increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

The condition tends to run in families, but blood pressure is also influenced by lifestyle.

To prevent blood pressure from rising, it is important to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, keep alcohol intake moderate, reduce salt intake, manage and reduce stress and be physically active.

Blood cholesterol

The cholesterol is vital for healthy cells. It is so important that the body does not rely on a dietary source, it makes its own.

The body accumulates too much, cholesterol can become deposited in the walls of arteries, which become damaged and may become blocked. If this happens, a heart attack could result.

Many people make too much cholesterol when their diet is rich in saturated fats.

High blood cholesterol may also be inherited, as in Familial.

The high cholesterol level increase the chance of ischemic heart diseases.

Diabetes

The people with diabetes are at a much higher risk of coronary heart disease.

This increased risk is associated with high blood sugar, high blood pressure and raised blood lipids.

Lipid profiles in people with diabetes tend to show:

• elevated very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)

• small low-density lipoproteins (LDL)

• low high density lipoprotein (HDL).

This combination is commonly termed diabetic dyslipidaemia and is particularly atherogenic; i.e. the furring up process of arteries is accelerated.

People with diabetes and a raised cholesterol level experience an even greater risk of heart disease.

Smoking

The cigarette smoking increases the risk of heart disease. It is also responsible for 90% of lung cancers, can cause cancer anywhere else in the body, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke.

There are thus many health benefits

from being a non-smoker. Even after having smoked for many years, stopping smoking now will reduce CHD risk.

Obesity

The overweight increases the chance of having a heart attack. This is in part because people who are overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes and high

blood fats.

These promote the increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Inactivity

The physical inactivity is an important contributor to coronary heart disease.

The cardiovascular benefits of regular physical activity include reduced blood pressure, weight control, reduced waist circumference all of which help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

At least 2½ hours per week of moderate activity is recommended. Walking, jogging, swimming, cycling and dancing are all excellent choice to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Alcohol

The alcohol in moderation may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Consuming too much alcohol places the health at risk in a number of ways. This is because, when taken in excess, alcohol is harmful to the heart and other organs.

It can directly damage the heart muscle and cause irregular beating of the heart.

Alcohol also contributes to weight gain, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, strokes and cancer, not to mention accidents and violence. There are many reasons to

keep alcohol consumption within reasonable limits.

Stress

A certain amount of stress may be desirable, in that it keeps people alert and motivated.

The stress level builds, especially if prolonged, it can be harmful to health.

Stress can exacerbate symptoms in people with pre-existing heart disease, and can contribute to high blood pressure.

For those with high cholesterol it can lead to neglect of a healthy lifestyle, such as poor eating habits or not taking prescribed medication.

It is important to find time for relaxation. Simple breathing exercises, sports, music, meditation, reading, engaging in hobbies, taking a walk... there are many ways to reduce stress.

Choose activities which appeal and make regular time for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.