Download Cardiovascular - San Juan College

CARDIOVASCULAR
Blood circulates through the body by the pumping action of the heart. The working of the heart supplies the
entire body with its necessary blood and oxygen.
We can keep our hearts healthy, and it is contrary to believe that heart disease is inevitable. There are several
risk factors for heart disease that can be controlled.
1. Physical Inactivity
Of course, people who are not physically active are more likely to have heart disease. A major misconception
concerning heart disease is that to have a healthy heart that a person needs to do a heavy, duty exercise
program.
A walking program can accomplish the desired health affects. Other activities can be running, bicycling,
swimming, and/or any other programs that will get the heart rate up to a good target heart rate. People who
work out rigorously and regularly have the healthiest hearts.
2. Lipoproteins
Cholesterol levels are related to the amount of lipoproteins in the blood. There is LDL, which is low-density
lipoproteins, and HDL, which is high-density lipoprotein. HDL is the “good cholesterol”, while LDL contributes to
deposits of fat on artery walls, that leads to heart disease.
People with the least chance of cardiovascular disease have a high HDL, the higher the HDL to the ratio of total
cholesterol, then the lower the possibility of having heart disease. Total cholesterol count should be under two
hundred (200) with the ideal being one hundred and fifty (150).
3. Cigarette Smoking
More smokers die each year from heart attacks than non-smokers, including cancer and lung disease. Smoking
causes the blood vessels to the arms and legs to harden and clog. Other risk factors include coronary heart
disease, cancer of the upper digestive tract and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Cigarette and cigar smoking, along with second hand smoke, damages the heart in a variety of ways.
Nicotine over stimulates the heart
Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood, reducing oxygen to the heart and other body parts
Tars damage the lining of the coronary arteries
Smoking increases blood clotting, raising clotting in coronary arteries and increasing the chances of heart
attacks.
Irreversible damage to arteries even in ex-smokers
4. High Blood Pressure
Each time the heart beats the blood pressure goes up and down as the blood is forced through the walls of the
blood vessels. High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the walls of the blood vessels become
blocked, restricting normal blood flow.
When several factors are combined, including high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol,
cardiovascular problems increase.
5. Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the fats in the blood that are present after a meal. Triglycerides are usually higher in women
and are more likely to contribute to heart disease. Diets high in calories, sugar, refined starches and alcohol
raise triglyceride levels.
6. Weight
Of course, obesity is one of the leading causes of heart problems. Even in slight obesity it is more likely to have
chest pain or a heart attack than someone who is thinner.
There are certain risk factors that cannot be controlled.
1. Age
The older the more prone a person is to heart attacks.
2. Gender
Men are more prone to heart attacks than women.
3. Male Pattern Baldness
Those men that have baldness at the top of their head have an increased risk of heart attack.
4. Heredity
If someone whose parents, siblings, or other close relatives have had a heart attack before the age of fifty
(50), chances are increased.