4/15: Chronic Disease + Prevention

Infectious disease is defined as… + examples

can be transmitted through people

• flu

• influenza

• malaria

• tuberculosis

chronic disease is defined as…

• slow progression

• long duration

• degeneration of organs

• due to lifestyle

What are the top 4 diet-related leading causes of death?

1. Heart disease 

2. Cancer 

3. Stroke 

4. diabetes 

What are risk factors

factor that increases probability of developing a disease/health problem, but can't CAUSE it 

• Genetics 

• Environment 

• Behavior 

• Social 

Obesity is a risk factor to…

• Hypertension: high blood pressure 

• Some cancers 

• Diabetes: insulin resistance 

• Atherosclerosis: abnormal blood lipids 

Nonmodifiable risk factors

age, sex, genes

modifiable risk factors

smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity

How to identify risk factors

• Know family history 

• Get physical evaluation 

• Evaluate lifestyle 

How to reduce/eliminate risk factors

• Dietary 

• Physical activity 

• Smoking, alcohol 

• stress 

Cardiovascular disease is…

disease of the heart/blood vessels 

• Main type of CVD is atherosclerosis: plaque in arteries, limits blood flow 

Atherosclerosis characteristics

• Fatty deposits form in artery walls, then it hardens and forms plaque 

• Plaque oxidizes and narrows the vessel opening 

• Contributors are: high saturated fat intake, inflammation, high LDL, hypertension, diabetes 

What happens after atherosclerosis

• Plaques rupture, and the body responds by forming a clot (can break off or close entire artery) 

• Lack of blood flow = lack of oxygen 

if rupture is in…

• heart: heart attack

• brain: stroke

Cholesterol levels: at risk

• 200+ total cholesterol 

• HDL cholesterol: <40 for male, <50 for women 

• LDL cholesterol: 100+ 

Cholesterol levels: healthy

• Total cholesterol: <200 

• HDL: 40-80 for male, 50-80 for female 

• LDL cholesterol: <100 (the lower the better) 

 

What is TLC and what are its characteristics

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes 

• Formed by NIH to decrease blood cholesterol through diet and lifestyle changes 

  • Promotes high fiber and plant sterols 

  • Limits saturated fat + sodium 

   

By following TLC, you can reduce LDL levels by

• Decrease Saturated fat to <7%:  8-10% 

• Dietary cholesterol decreae to <200 mg/day: 3-5% 

• Weight lose 10 lbs if overweight: 5-8% 

• Soluble fiber add 5-10 g/day: 3-5% 

• Plant sterol add 2 g/day: 5-15% 

What are the essential 8 in life?

• Eat better 

• Be more active 

• No tobacco 

• Healthy sleep 

• Manage weight 

• Control cholesterol 

• Manage blood sugar 

• Manage blood pressure