Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Key Cardiovascular Risk Factors

  • General Risk Factors:

    • Hyperlipidemia

    • Hypertension

    • Diabetes

    • Tobacco and alcohol use

    • Physical inactivity

    • Diet

    • Stress

    • Genetics and family history

    • Age

    • Sex (M>F)

Other Risk Factors for CV Disease

  • General Classification:

    • Sleep apnea

    • Chronic kidney disease

    • Chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)

    • HIV infection

    • Hypertension in pregnancy

    • Polycystic ovarian syndrome

    • Gestational diabetes

Impact of Vaccination

  • Influenza Vaccine:

    • Reduces MI risk by 26% (RR 0.74)

    • Reduces CV disease mortality by 33% (RR 0.67)

Social Interaction and Isolation

  • Social Isolation:

    • Comparable risk level for CV disease to nicotine

    • Associated with higher CVD incidence and poorer outcomes

Family History

  • Risk Factors:

    • Early heart disease (males <55; females <65)

    • Odds ratio of 7.2

Tobacco Use

  • Cigarette Smoking:

    • Doubles risk of ischemic heart disease morbidity/mortality

    • Risk decreases after cessation, up to 20 years for full reversal

Age-Related Risk Factors

  • Incidence Rates:

    • Heart attack risk increases with age; 7 times more likely in 65-74 age group

Hypertension

  • Hypertensive Risks:

    • Doubling risk of heart attack/stroke for 20-point rise in systolic BP

Hyperlipidemia

  • Cholesterol Impact:

    • 10% cholesterol reduction = CHD risk decrease

Race and Ethnicity

  • High-Risk Populations:

    • First Nations, South Asians at higher MI rates

Diabetes

  • Impact on Heart Disease:

    • 68% of those over 65 with diabetes die from heart disease

Physical Activity

  • Exercise Benefits:

    • Reduces CHD risk by as much as 35%

Diet

  • Dietary Impact on CVD:

    • Mediterranean and high-quality diets significantly lower risks

Obesity

  • Childhood BMI:

    • Higher childhood BMI linked to adult CHD risk

Modifiable Risk Factors

  • Includes hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diet, physical activity, and stress

Ten-Year CV Risk Predictors

  • Age, sex, race, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking status

Potential Impact of Risk Control

  • Healthier diets and reduced SBP could significantly lower ischemic heart disease \

    • Improvements measured in percentages of CVD reduction

Resources for CVD Risk Calculation

  • Assessing Risk: Emphasis on lifestyle changes and treatment options for primary prevention effectiveness.