Cardiovascular Risk and Lab Value Classifications (Cholesterol, BP, Glucose, BMI, Metabolic Syndrome, Risk Factors)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering lipid/CVD risk factors, BP, glucose, BMI, metabolic syndrome, and risk-factor definitions.

Total Cholesterol

Sum of cholesterol in all lipoproteins; Desirable

LDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 'bad' cholesterol; Desirable

HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 'good' cholesterol; ≥60 mg/dL is high; Men <40 mg/dL; Women <50 mg/dL are considered low.

Non-HDL Cholesterol

Total cholesterol minus HDL; represents all atherogenic lipoproteins; Desirable

Triglycerides

Blood triglyceride levels; Normal

Normal Blood Pressure

Systolic <120 mmHg and Diastolic <80 mmHg.

Elevated Blood Pressure

Systolic 120-129 mmHg with diastolic <80 mmHg.

Hypertension Stage 1

Systolic 130-139 mmHg or Diastolic 80-89 mmHg.

Hypertension Stage 2

Systolic 140-180 mmHg or Diastolic 90-120 mmHg.

Hypertensive Crisis

Systolic >180 mmHg or Diastolic >120 mmHg.

HbA1c (Glycosylated Hb)

Average blood glucose over ~3 months; 5.7-6.4% indicates Prediabetes; >6.5% indicates Diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

2-hour plasma glucose after a 75 g glucose load; 140-199 mg/dL indicates Impaired/Prediabetes; >200 mg/dL indicates Diabetes.

Fasting Glucose

Blood glucose after fasting; 100-125 mg/dL indicates Prediabetes; >126 mg/dL indicates Diabetes.

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Index of body fat based on height and weight; Normal 18.5-24.9; Overweight 25.0-29.9; Obesity Class I 30.0-34.9; Class II 35.0-39.9; Class III or Extreme >40.

Metabolic Syndrome

Cluster of risk factors; must have at least three: Abdominal Obesity, Triglycerides >150 mg/dL or treatment, HDL

Abdominal Obesity

Waist circumference thresholds: Men >40 inches (102 cm); Women >35 inches (88 cm).

Triglycerides (Metabolic Syndrome criterion)

Triglycerides >150 mg/dL or treatment.

HDL Threshold (Metabolic Syndrome)

HDL <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women (or on treatment).

Blood Pressure Threshold (Metabolic Syndrome)

Blood pressure >130/85 mmHg or on treatment.

Fasting Glucose Threshold (Metabolic Syndrome)

Fasting glucose >100 mg/dL or on treatment.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin reference ranges: Men 13.5-17.5 g/dL; Women 11.5-15.5 g/dL.

Hematocrit

Hematocrit reference ranges: Men 40-52%; Women 36-48%.

Kidney Tests

Kidney function tests: Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN); Creatinine.

Liver Tests

Liver function tests: Bilirubin; ALT (alanine transaminase); AST (aspartate transaminase).

Prothrombotic Marker

Fibrinogen ≥350 mg/dL indicates prothrombotic tendency.

Proinflammatory Marker

C-reactive protein >3.0 mg/L indicates inflammation/increased risk.

Positive Risk Factors for CVD

Eight factors that raise CV risk: Age, Family History, Smoking, Physical Inactivity, Obesity, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, Abnormal Fasting Glucose.

Negative Risk Factor

HDL cholesterol >60 mg/dL is considered protective against CVD.

Age as Risk Factor (Men)

Men >45 years are at higher cardiovascular risk.

Age as Risk Factor (Women)

Women >55 years are at higher cardiovascular risk.

Family History Risk Factor

MI or sudden cardiac death in first-degree relative: before 55 in men or before 65 in women.

Smoking Risk Factor

Active smoking or quitting within 6 months or exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Physical Inactivity Risk Factor

Not meeting 500-1000 MET-min/week of moderate-to-vigorous activity or 75-150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.

Obesity Risk Factor

BMI >30 kg/m2; waist: Men >102 cm (40 in); Women >88 cm (35 in).

Hypertension Risk Factor

Blood pressure >130/80 mmHg or on antihypertensive meds; confirmed on 2 occasions.

Dyslipidemia Risk Factor

LDL >130 mg/dL or HDL

Fasting Glucose Risk Factor

Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or 2-hour OGTT >140 mg/dL or HbA1C ≥5.7% or on diabetes meds.