Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

What is cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

A general term used for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

Question 2

When does heart disease occur?

Answer 2

When one or more of the coronary arteries, supplying the heart with blood, are narrowed or completely blocked by a build-up of fatty deposits called cholesterol on its walls.

Question 3

What is the condition called when the arteries become narrowed or blocked?

Answer 3

Atherosclerosis

Question 4

What happens when the arteries become partly or totally blocked?

Answer 4

The heart has to work much harder to pump oxygen and glucose, in the blood, around the body.

Question 5

What happens if the arteries become totally blocked?

Answer 5

Blood cannot flow to the heart and this can result in a heart attack.

Question 6

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

Answer 6

Pain in the centre of the chest

Pain in arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach

Shortness of breath

Breaking out in a cold sweat

Nausea

Question 7

What should be replaced with saturated fat to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 7

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.

They contain the essential fatty acids, omega 3 and omega 6, which the body cannot produce itself.

These have a positive impact on heart health.

Question 8

How can eating too much saturated fat increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

Answer 8

It can increase blood cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

This is because cholesterol can build up on the walls of the arteries making them narrower and reducing the blood flow to the heart.

Question 9

Does the risk of developing cardiovascular disease increase with age?

Answer 9

Yes.

Question 10

How can eating too much salt increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

Answer 10

It can raise our blood pressure which increases the size of the blood vessels.

This puts a strain on them, causing damage which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Question 11

What amount of salt should adults not exceed per day to minimise the risk of CVD?

Answer 11

6g

Question 12

How can eating too little fibre increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 12

It increases blood cholesterol levels.

Question 13

What type of fibre should be eaten to lower blood cholesterol levels?

Answer 13

Soluble fibre such as:

Pulses
Grains
Fruits

Question 14

How can a diet low in antioxidants (vitamins A,C,E) have an impact on cardiovascular disease?

Answer 14

These antioxidant nutrients prevent damage to arteries from free radicals.

Question 15

How can someone increase their intake of antioxidants (Vitamins A,C,E) to reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

Answer 15

Fruit and vegetables are a valuable source of the antioxidant nutrients Vitamin A and C.

Wholegrain cereals are a good source of Vitamin E.

Question 16

How can being overweight increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease?

Answer 16

It increases your risk of developing serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels and type 2 diabetes.

These are all risk factors for CVD.

Question 17

How can fat distribution increase your risk of developing CVD?

Answer 17

Those are ‘apple shaped’, carrying extra weight around the waist are at a greater risk of developing CVD.

This is mostly males.

Question 18

How can consuming too much alcohol be a risk factor for CVD?

Answer 18

It can damage heart muscles, causing abnormal heart rhythms and can increase blood pressure.

Alcohol can also lead to weight gain, as it is high in calories, which is a risk factor for CVD.

Question 19

How can lack of physical activity be a risk factor for CVD?

Answer 19

The heart does not get the exercise it needs to function properly.

Physical activity also helps to reduce risk factors for CVD such as high blood pressure, overweight and obesity.

Question 20

By how much does smoking increase a persons risk of a heart attack?

Answer 20

Almost double.

Question 21

How can smoking increase a persons risk of a heart attack?

Answer 21

It reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the heart.

It also makes blood more likely to clot, which reduces blood flow to the heart.

Smoking damages the mining of the arteries, so that fatty deposits (atheroma) build up there.

Question 22

How can those with a family history of cardiovascular disease lessen their risk of developing the condition?

Answer 22

Take care with their diet

Manage their weight

Avoid smoking

Avoid drinking too much alcohol

Maintain their levels of physical activity

Question 23

How can having diabetes increase your risk of developing CVD?

Answer 23

High blood sugar levels may affect the artery walls and increase the likelihood of high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.

Question 24

What is some dietary advice to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 24

1. Diet rich in fruit and vegetables
2. Cut down on fat
3. Replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat
   4.Eat fish regularly, one oily per week
4. Reduce salt intake
5. Eat vegetable sources of protein to reduce fat intake

Answer 25

1. Get active
2. Avoid smoking