CHD

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Coronary Heart Disease is when the coronary arteries have lots of artheromas in which restrict the blood flow to the heart. It's a form cardiovascular disease.

RISK FACTORS:

High blood cholesterol and poor diet

If blood cholesterol is high then risk of CHD ^

Cholesterol main consistuent of fatty deposits which form artheromas

Artheromas ^bp and blood clots

Could block flow to C.A which could cause Myocardial Infarction

Diet ^ in saturated fat associated with ^ blood cholesterol levels

Diet ^ in salt also ^ risk of cardiovascular disease as it ^ risk of ^bp

Smoking

Carbon monoxide & nicotine found in smoke ^ risk of CHD

Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin and reduces amount of oxygen transported in blood so amount of O2 available to tissues reduced

Lack of oxygen to <3 can cause heart attack

Smoking decreases amount of antioxidants in blood (protect cells from damage) Less means cell damage in CA walls more likely, can lead to artheroma formation.

High blood pressure

^bp inreases risk of damge to artery walls

Damaged walls ^ risk of arteroma formation causing further ^ in bp

Can also cause blood clots- block flow of blood to <3 muscle (resulting in <3 attack)

Anything ^ bp can also ^ risk of CHD e.g being overweigh, not exercising, excess alcohol

Most factors within human control (person can choose to smoke, eat fatty foods.) Some can't be contolled e.g genetic predisposition to CHD or ^ bp due to other conditions (some forms of diabetes.) Even so, risk of developing CHD can be reduced by removing as many risk factors as possible.

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