Risk factors for CVD

Controllable

Controllable

• high salt (high blood pressure)

• high energy (not balanced by energy use) (obesity)

• saturated fat intake (atherosclerosis)

• cholesterol (atherosclerosis)

• lack of antioxidants

• smoking- CO binds to haemoglobin, causes higher BP, nicotine activates platelets)

• obesity

• high blood pressure

• Stress

Non-controllable

• older age - more chance of damage to endothelium due to less elasticity.

• being male - abdominal fat storage

• genetic inheritance- increases development of atherosclerosis or blood clotting

Why do people overestimate risk of CVD?

• Involuntary

• Not natural

• Unfamiliar

• Dreaded

• Unfair - risk affects young or old

• Rare

• Sudden

Why do people underestimate risk of CVD?

• Voluntary

• Natural

• Familiar

• Looked forward to

• Common

• Long term