Question

Part 1: This week we discuss Heart Disease. There are several risk factors. In part one of this week’s discussion, choose one of the risk factors below and describe how it impacts heart disease.

List of Risk Factors:

1. Age
2. Gender
3. Family history
4. Smoking
5. High blood pressure
6. High blood cholesterol
7. Diabetes
8. Stress

Part 2: Discuss one way you can make changes to your diet or lifestyle to help prevent heart disease.

Answer 1

Part 1-

The excess strain and resulting damage from high blood pressure cause the coronary arteries serving the heart to slowly become narrowed from a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque. This slow process is known as atherosclerosis. Thus build-up of plaque in the arteries delays the oxygen delivery causing the development of heart disease.

Part 2-

Limiting saturated fats, foods high in sodium, avoiding junk and street food and added sugars or in short, switching on to a healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables makes an immense change in delaying heart diseases.