Cardiovascular Disease

Kinesiology 2115

Overview of CVD
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading
cause of death in the US
Sedentary lifestyle and high fat diet major factors
Every 26 seconds someone will suffer a cardiac event
with 2150 dying each day

CVD affects any or all parts of the CV systemheart, blood, blood vessels
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is most common
Narrowing of coronary arteries
Peripheral vascular disease
Stroke
Rheumatic heart disease
Atherosclerosis

Signs and Symptoms of CVD

Angina pectoris

Chest pain during exertion

Lack of blood to heart muscle
due to narrowed arteries

 Myocardial infarction

Blood supply to part of heart is cut off leading to tissue

death
Warnings include:

Uncomfortable, squeezing pressure or pain in chest

Pain that radiates to left shoulder/arm and neck
Profuse sweating
Shortness of breath
Dizziness and/or fainting

 Stroke
Lack of blood supply to brain
Caused by narrowed arteries and/or blood clot in brain
Warning signs include
Dizziness
Temporary weakness or numbness on one side of the
body
Temporary loss of speech or vision

Your Risks for CVD

Prevention is the key to reducing risk of CVD
Lifestyle determines susceptibility
Major contributors to CVD

Smoking
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Physical inactivity
Obesity
Diabetes

Stress
Gender
Heredity
Age
Race

Minor contributors

Smoking
#1 cause of CVD
Smokers 2.5 times more likely to develop CVD
Smokers more likely to die from CVD than
cancer
Carbon monoxide in smoke competes with
oxygen for hemoglobin attachment greatly
increasing the workload of heart

 Hypertension

Most significant risk factor for stroke and major risk factor for CVD
Known as the Silent Killer
Considered a disease in itself
Factors contributing to hypertension

Heredity
Obesity
Sodium sensitivity
Alcohol consumption
Age
Race
Caffeine
Sedentary lifestyle
Stress

Increases workload of the heart and arteries

50 million Americans have hypertension
Most prevalent among elderly, African Americans and obese

Hypertension
Is diagnosed if individual has repeated measurements above optimal
levels

Blood Pressure Classification

BP Classification

Systolic BP

Diastolic BP

Normal

<120

and <80

Prehypertension

120-139

or 80-89

Stage 1 Hypertension

140-159

or 90-99

Stage 2 Hypertension >160

or > 100

Hypercholesterolemia
Too much fat in the bloodstream
Contributes to plaque deposition on artery walls

Higher lipid levels, increased risk of CVD

HDL
Good cholesterol
Better predictor of CVD than total cholesterol

LDL
Bad cholesterol
Adheres to arterial walls

Triglycerides
Direct relation between TGs and body composition

Classification of
LDL, Total, & HDL Cholesterol, & Triglycerides
*(Expressed in mg/dl. Obtain after 9-12 hour fast)*
LDL Cholesterol

<100
100-129
130-159
160-189
> 190

Optimal
Near optimal/Above optimal
Borderline high
High
Very high

HDL Cholesterol
< 40
> 60

Low
High

Total Cholesterol
<200
200-239
> 240

Desirable
Borderline High
High

Triglycerides

<150
150-199
200-499
> 500

Normal
Borderline high
High
Very High

Controlling Hypercholesterolemia
Increase aerobic exercise
Recommend 1000 calories/week at moderate
intensity
Moderate to high intensity needed to increase
HDL
Low intensity lowers total cholesterol, LDL and
TGs, must also lose weight (fat)

Alter eating habits

Reduce saturated fat consumption

Physical Inactivity
1993- American Heart Association
Identified inactivity as major risk factor

Ranks same as smoking, hypertension, and high

cholesterol/TG
~60% of U S population at risk due to inactivity
Decrease risk by increasing energy expenditure

Obesity
10% above ideal fat percentage
Independent risk factor for CVD but may be
caused by other risk factors associated with
obesity
High blood lipids
Hypertension
Diabetes

Diabetes
Type I, Juvenile Onset
Pancreas does not produce insulin, or produces very little
Must take insulin injections daily
10% of all diabetics

Type II, Adult Onset

Insulin is produced, but cant be used properly
90% of all diabetics
85% were obese at time of diagnosis

Diet high in fiber and aerobic exercise reduces risk of

Type II diabetes
Blood Glucose Guidelines: (obtain after 9-12 hour fast)
< 100 mg/dl
desirable
100-125 mg/dl pre diabetes
> 126 mg/dl
diabetes

Stress
Fight or Flight response
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, glucose
levels
Must act to reduce catecholamine levels

Exercise is best way to relieve stress and

breakdown catecholamines
Returns HR, BP and glucose levels to pre-stress
levels

Gender/Heredity
Men 3 times more likely to develop CVD
After menopause, women just as likely to
develop CVD and 2 times more likely to die from
a heart attack
Younger women, due to higher estrogen, have higher HDL
cholesterol which is CVD protective
After menopause, women lose that protective factor

Family history increases risk

No gene has been identified as CVD carrier
Inherit family lifestyle and eating habits

Age/Race
CVD risk increases with age
Partly attributed to decreased physical activity, poor
nutrition and obesity

Slow down physical aging by managing risk

factors
African-Americans and Mexican-Americans
more likely to have hypertension
Asian-Americans have lower risk but it is
increasing due to adoption of American lifestyle