Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Non-modifiable risk factors

Genes

Age-vessels lose elasticity and narrow with age

Gender

Modifiable risk factors

Smoking

Diet

Body weight

Physical activity

High blood pressure

High salt intake

How does smoking cause CVD

chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the artery lining causing plaque build up and high blood pressure

How does physicals activity reduces risk of CVD

Lowers blood pressure

Helps prevent obesity

Lower blood cholesterol

Improves LDL:HDL balance

Reduces stress

How does high blodo pressure cause CVD

Damages the endothelium causing plaques to form

BMI formula

Weight in kilograms/ (height in metres) squared

What are the limitations of BMI

Doesn’t distinguish fat from muscle

How to do people gain weifgt

People eat more than they need to supply metabolic needs

Waist-to-hip ratio

Waist size/hip size

Why is the waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI

Reflects where fat is stored on the body

Why are free radicals bad

Cause oxidative stress, damaging the artierla endothelium and causing plaque formation

Function of Vitamin C

Builds connective tissue including endothelial lining

DCPIP

Used to test for vitamin C. Is blue and turns colourless when reduced by vitamin C

How to test for vitamin c

Addd the drink by titration to a fixed volume of DCPIP until blue colour disappears