PED 127 Chapter 2 Notes

Death rates from cardiovascular disease is down since 1979 (30%) lifestyle changes and better treatment of diseases are the reason for this.

Of the ten leading causes of death, five of them are lifestyle related (heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver)

Cardiovascular diseases-4 forms

1. Coronary heart disease-results in heart attacks.

The heart pumps blood to the body—to do this well it must provide itself with the oxygen and nutrients the blood transports through coronary arteries.

Fatty deposits gather on the inner walls of the coronary arteries (plaque buildup), this condition is called ARTEROSCLEROSIS. It narrows the opening of the vessals and blocks the flow of blood through the coronary vessals. A heart attack(myocardial infarction) occurs when the blockage becomes severe.

Heart tissue is unable to receive oxygen and the tissue dies.

The severity of the attack depends on:

a. how much tissue is damaged.

b. How well the arteries that still function can supply the rest of the heart.

This starts very early in life.

2. Angina Pectoris- chest pain resulting from poor coronary circulation. Cause: the coronary arteries don’t supply the heart muscle with adequate oxygen.

It appears through physical exertion and goes away when the activity is stopped.

3. Stroke- lack of blood to the brain. It occurs from:

a. ruptured blood vassal

b. blockage of blood flow

c. pressure on a blood vassal (tumor)

4. Arteriosclerosis- buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries.

Primary risk factors

a. hypertension- high blood pressure. It is the most important of all risk factors because it weakens arteries in the brain.

THE SILENT KILLER- many people experience no symptoms and feel healthy.

Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted on the walls of the arteries as blood flows through them. It is recorded by:

Systolic- the higher number. It represents maximum pressure on the arteries and occurs during contraction.

Diastolic- the lower number. It represents force of the blood on the vessals as it continues to flow between heart beats.

Normal readings 120 over 80.

If you have high blood pressure you can lower it by: weight loss, decreased sodium intake, reduce fat, drink in moderation, exercise, lower use of oral contraceptives.

b. (another primary factor) CHOLESTEROL

(REFER TO PAGE 18)

Low density lipids (ldl) delivers cholesterol to the tissues.

High density lipids (hdl) takes away cholesterol from the tissues.

c. SMOKING- causes 90% of all lung disease.

The cause of all the physiological effects of cigarette smoking is due to carbon monoxide and nicotine.

Health concerns:

1. carbon monoxide combines with red blood cells which decreases oxygen transport capacity.

2. Lower concentration of oxygen slows the breakdown of cholesterol by the cells.

3. Lowers high density lipids (hdl).

4. Elevates heart rate and blood pressure.

5. Constricts small arteries supplying the skin (some people get cold feet and hands).

6. Clot formation in heart and brain vessals increases.

7. Emphysema

8. Passive smoking creates health problems.

d. physical inactivity

Exercise:

1. makes heart muscle stronger.

2. Lowers chances of diabetes.

3. Reduces stress.

4. Less chance of obesity.

5. Lowers blood pressure.

6. Controls cholesterol and lipid levels.

DIABETES 2 types

1. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin, so the body is not able to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy (the result is high blood sugar levels, which damages blood vessals and organs). This is type 1

2. After age 40 the body does not use insulin efficiently, it is resistant to it’s effects. Insulin controls the amount of sugar (glucose) that gets into the cell. If it doesn’t get moved to the cell, sugar accumulates in the blood.

You cant catch diabetes from eating too much sugar, but high carbohydrate intake increase risk.

Diabetes has no cure, but can be controlled

A blood sugar test detects diabetes, or potential danger of the disease.

Symptoms: thirst, hunger, weight fluctuation.

Exercise is recommended because it lowers blood glucose without the use of insulin.

If you are overweight your chances of getting diabetes increases, but it can be inherited regardless of your health.

Cancer

Lifestyle factors: smoking, diet, lack of physical activity.

Prevention: maintain weight, eat a variety of foods (fruit, vegetables, fiber), reduce fat intake, limit alcohol, limit cured, smoked meat intake.

FOODS TO EAT PAGE 24

Role of exercise in cancer prevention:

Colon: movement of waste at a quicker pace-more bowel movements.

Women’s reproductive systems and breast cancer- prevents obesity and excess fat.

Osteoporosis- loss of calcium. Smoking and drinking and non exercisers lose more than non active people. Walking, running and dancing as well as weight training are good wt bearing exercises. (calcium in food-page 27)