Chronic Diseases and Nutrition

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Questions and Answers

What defines a thrombus in the context of blood clots?

A moving clot that travels through the bloodstream

A stationary clot formed within a vessel (correct)

A large clot that blocks a blood vessel

A clot that has broken off and lodged in another location

What condition is described as an embolism?

A wall of an artery that has bulged out

A phenomenon causing high blood pressure

A clot that is stationary

A clot that breaks loose and travels (correct)

What is the consequence of a clot lodging in an artery of the brain?

It results in hypertension

It forms a thrombus

It causes a heart attack

It leads to a stroke (correct)

What is an aortic aneurysm primarily caused by?

Pressure buildup and damage to the artery wall Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding vascular aging in men and women?

Estrogen receptors are present in various components of the vasculature Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of metabolic syndrome?

Central obesity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct effect of smoking on cardiovascular health?

Damages heart with toxins Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome for a 70-year-old male with low HDL levels according to the Framingham Risk Score?

27.5% risk of heart disease Signup and view all the answers

What generally happens to the risk of heart disease after quitting smoking?

Drops within a few months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to elevated LDL cholesterol levels?

Central obesity Signup and view all the answers

What dietary factors characterize an atherogenic diet?

High in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a feature of metabolic syndrome?

High levels of HDL Signup and view all the answers

How can an atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype be identified clinically?

Elevated plasma TAG and low HDL cholesterol Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily responsible for the hardening of the arteries in cardiovascular diseases?

Atherosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

What dietary factor is known to contribute to the buildup of plaques in arteries?

High saturated fat diet Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the inflammatory response in the development of atherosclerosis?

Injury to the artery walls Signup and view all the answers

Which group has a higher annual mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases?

Women Signup and view all the answers

What role do macrophages play in the development of atherosclerosis?

They become foam cells after engulfing oxidized LDL Signup and view all the answers

What effect does atherosclerosis have on arteries and blood pressure?

Arteries harden and blood pressure rises Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a contributing factor to the damage leading to atherosclerosis?

Regular exercise Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the arterial lesions as atherosclerosis progresses?

They accumulate inflammatory cells and plaque Signup and view all the answers

What percentage loss of inner diameter in coronary arteries is typically associated with angina during exercise?

50% to 75% Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is considered as acute management for significant coronary artery blockages?

Angioplasty/stent Signup and view all the answers

At what age does aging become a significant risk factor for heart disease in men?

45 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of LDL in the body regarding cholesterol?

To transport cholesterol to the cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk factor for heart disease related to family history?

Early heart disease in parents or siblings Signup and view all the answers

How does HDL impact the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks?

Indicates a reduced risk of atherosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

After what age does the risk of heart disease in women increase significantly due to menopause?

55 years Signup and view all the answers

What percentage blockage correlates with experiencing ischemia and pain at rest?

90% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chronic Diseases & Nutrition

Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension are significantly affected by nutrition and lifestyle choices.

Diet/Lifestyle Risk Factors and Degenerative Diseases

Diet and lifestyle risk factors can affect numerous degenerative diseases.
A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to several diseases.
One disease can have numerous risk factors.
Degenerative diseases, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, can influence each other.
Several of these diseases are associated with obesity.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

Atherosclerosis, the hardening of arteries from plaques, is a key contributor to CVD.
High saturated fat diets contribute to plaque buildup.
This process also involves the body's inflammatory response to tissue damage.
Contrary to myth, CVD affects women more often than it affects men in a variety of forms.

How Atherosclerosis Develops

High LDL cholesterol, hypertension, toxins (e.g., cigarette smoke), elevated homocysteine levels, and viral/bacterial infections initiate the process.
Inflammation prompts white blood cells (macrophages) to clear the damage.
LDL cholesterol particles become trapped and oxidized in the blood vessel walls.
Oxidized LDL-engorged macrophages are termed foam cells.

The Formation of Plaques in Atherosclerosis

Hardened and narrowed arteries cannot expand with rising blood pressure.
The increased blood pressure causes further damage to the artery walls, straining the heart.

Progression of Atherosclerosis

An initial fatty streak develops within a blood vessel, progressing to accumulate inflammatory cells.
This vulnerable lesion can rupture, leading to advanced blockage or occlusion.

Blood clots

Thrombus is a stationary clot that can block blood vessels.
Thrombosis is the process of blood clotting.
Embolism occurs when clots break loose and can travel to other parts of the body.
The blood clot can block an artery in the heart, leading to heart attack.
Or, the blood clot can lodge in an artery of the brain, resulting in a stroke.

Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic aneurysm forms due to pressure buildup and damage to the artery wall.

Atherogenic Lipoprotein Phenotype

Raised VLDL and a predominance of small dense LDL characterize this phenotype.
The presence of low HDL also contributes.
High plasma TAG and low HDL cholesterol levels confirm this type clinically.

Diet to Reduce CVD Risk: Lifestyle Changes

Increase physical activity.
Lose weight through lifestyle changes.
Implement dietary changes to correct nutritional imbalances.
Reduce exposure to tobacco smoke.

Diet to Reduce CVD Risk: Controlling Dietary Lipids

Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats, limiting combined consumption to 10% of daily calories.
Limit dietary cholesterol to no more than 300mg daily.
Increase consumption of fish, fruits, vegetables, milk products, and whole grains.
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

Diet to Reduce CVD Risk: Fibre, Nutrients, and Phytochemicals

Viscous (soluble) fiber (e.g., oats, barley, legumes) binds cholesterol and bile, reducing absorption.
Nutrients and phytochemicals in whole foods are preferred over dietary supplements.

Diet to reduce CVD risk: Alcohol consumption

Middle-aged and older adults who drink one to two drinks a day have been found to raise HDL and reduce the risk of blood clots.
However, alcohol cannot reverse detrimental effects from poor diets or physical inactivity.

How Much Does Changing Diet Affect LDL Cholesterol Levels?

Reducing saturated fat intake to <7% of calories can reduce LDL cholesterol by 8 to 10%.
Lowering dietary cholesterol to <200 mg/day can lower cholesterol by 3 to 5%.
Losing 10 pounds (4.5 kg) through weight reduction can decrease cholesterol by 5 to 8%.
Increasing soluble fiber intake to 5-10 grams per day can decrease LDL by 3 to 5%.

Other Dietary Factors That May Protect Against CVD

Omega-3 fatty acids can limit clot formation and prevent irregular heartbeats, while decreasing blood triglycerides and inflammation.
Folate, vitamin B6, and B12 help reduce homocysteine levels, but may not decrease the risk of CVD.
Diet rich in soy foods and flaxseed, sterol esters, and stanols can limit LDL oxidation and lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Alcohol consumption (in moderation) can increase HDL cholesterol levels and limit clot formation in older adults.

Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

Emphasizes a daily intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and seafood.
Moderate amounts of wine are recommended.
Daily water consumption is encouraged.
Reduced intake of meats and sweets is recommended
Regular physical activity should be a part of any healthy lifestyle.

Portfolio Diet

A meal plan for lowering blood cholesterol that is largely vegetarian.
Includes plant sterols that inhibit cholesterol absorption in the gut, along with high soluble fiber foods such as nuts, soy protein, and various vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Assessing Your 10-Year Heart Disease Risk

A scoring system is discussed that integrates age, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol to estimate individual risk.

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Description

Explore the connections between nutrition, lifestyle choices, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. This quiz delves into how diet, sedentary lifestyles, and risk factors can lead to degenerative diseases. Test your knowledge on the effects of nutrition and lifestyle on health.