The Cardiovascular Disease Cycle

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in the United States and Canada. One of the constituent diseases, coronary heart disease, accounts for 20 percent of all deaths, while other heart-related diseases account for another 33 percent. Cerebral vascular disease (stroke) is the third most common cause of death. As the risk factors continue to build up and damage the body, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes is increased.

If nothing is done to eliminate the risk factors, this leads to increased risk factors and increased damage to the body and body functions. This cycle continues, putting you at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Risk Factors

Key risk factors include: smoking, poor diet, low antioxidant levels, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, stress, and family history.

The risk factors affect the cardiovascular system, leading to damage to the body and body functions such as:

• Cholesterol buildup on artery walls
• Low antioxidant status
• Oxidation of cholesterol

This damage eventually can lead to:

• Atherosclerosis
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Stroke
• Varicose veins