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Cardiac Risk Factors
Outline 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cardiac Risk Factors | Condition or states, which significantly increase the probability of developing heart disease |
| Heredity | Risk factor that can't be changed |
| Gender | Can't be altered, men are 2x more likely to develop coronary artery disease (CAD) than a pre-menopausal women. |
| Age | As we get older, we are more susceptible to the effect of CAD |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure, this is a risk factor that can be changed |
| Hyperlipidemia | High Triglycerides & Cholesterol are associated with CAD |
| Diabetes | Disease where the blood sugar is high due to low levels of insulin secreted by the pancreas or insulin that is not functioning |
| Smoking | Smokers have a higher risk of heart disease than non-smokers do. Chemicals in cigarette smoke can restrict blood vessels and increase the level of lipids in the blood. |
| Diet | A risk factor that can be changed. Maintain low fat diet that includes lots of fruit and vegetables, fish or fish oils, whole grains. This diet slows the progression or even reverses heart disease |
| Exercise | Physical activity and regular aerobic exercise are beneficial for the heart. It improves circulation and strengthens the heart muscle. |
| Obesity | A person who is 20-30% or more over his or her body weight. Obesity can contribute to high blood pressure and caused increased strain on the heart. |
| Stress | Prolonged levels of stress can contribute to heart disease and affect the quality of life. |