Risk factors and the incidence of cardiovascular disease

Question 1

Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes any condition that

Answer 1

Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes any condition that interferes with the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart muscle

Question 2

The main risk factors for CHD include

Answer 2

Genetic factors - individuals can have a genetic predisposition that increases their chance of developing CHD

Age and sex - risk of CHD increases with age and is much more likely to affect men

High blood pressure - this can cause arteries to develop thicker walls, lumens to narrow, atheromas to develop and ventricles to enlarge

Smoking - the chemical in tobacco can damage the heart and lungs and negatively impact blood pressure

High concentrations of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood - these are the lipoproteins that cause atheromas to develop. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are the healthier version that help to absorb excess cholesterol. The ratio of LDLs to HDLs can be calculated using blood samples