Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease: Atherosclerosis, Risk Factors, and Prevention

atherosclerosis

A type of arteriosclerosis involving plaque buildup on artery walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow.

How does atherosclerosis develop?

Damage to the artery lining allows LDL to deposit; immune cells attack it, forming oxidized LDL and causing inflammation and plaque formation.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels including coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, and peripheral artery disease.

What are the fasting blood glucose levels that indicate diabetes?

Normal: <100 mg/dL; Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL; Diabetes: ≥126 mg/dL (confirmed by two tests).

What are normal HbA1c levels?

Normal: <5.7%; Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4%; Diabetes: ≥6.5%.

What is metabolic syndrome?

A cluster of biological factors that increase risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What are the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome?

(1) High waist circumference (men ≥40 in, women ≥35 in) plus at least two of: (2) high triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, (3) low HDL (<40 men, <50 women), (4) high blood pressure (≥130/85 mm Hg), (5) high fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL).

How does metabolic syndrome increase disease risk?

Visceral fat → insulin resistance → high blood glucose, low HDL, high triglycerides, and inflammation → higher CVD and stroke risk.

What are lifestyle modifications for type 2 diabetes?

Weight loss, regular exercise, healthy diet, and blood sugar management.

What are lifestyle modifications for cardiovascular disease?

Lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, manage stress, quit smoking, exercise, maintain healthy weight, eat heart-healthy foods, and limit alcohol.

What happens during a heart attack?

A plaque or clot blocks a coronary artery, cutting off blood flow; heart tissue dies due to lack of oxygen.

What are the two types of stroke?

Ischemic (blocked artery, lack of oxygen) and Hemorrhagic (ruptured vessel causing brain bleeding).

What are risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Age ≥45, family history, race/ethnicity, overweight, inactivity, gestational diabetes, PCOS, unhealthy diet.

What are modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

High LDL, low HDL, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, inactivity, poor diet, stress, and alcohol use.

What are non-modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

Age, sex (males higher risk), genetics, and race/ethnicity.

What is LDL cholesterol?

"Bad" cholesterol that carries fat to cells and can lead to plaque buildup.

What is HDL cholesterol?

"Good" cholesterol that removes cholesterol from cells and takes it to the liver for disposal.

What is atherosclerosis' relationship to heart disease?

It is the main underlying cause of most heart disease due to narrowed, hardened arteries.

What blood tests help assess heart disease risk?

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and HbA1c.

What are ways to prevent heart disease?

Healthy diet (Mediterranean or DASH), regular exercise, managing stress, avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight.

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