1.3.12 Describe the factors that increase the risk of CVD (genetic, diet, age, gender, high blood pressure, smoking and inactivity).

Risk: the probability of the occurrence of an unwanted event or outcome.

genetic: a tendency to high blood pressure and poor cholesterol metabolism; arteries that are more easily damaged, mutations in genes that affect relative HDL: LDL levels in the blood.

gender: oestrogen gives women some protection from CVDs before menopause.

ageing: the elasticity and width of arteries decreases with age. 

diet: many correlations between dietary habits and level of CVD, such as saturated fats, cholesterol and lipoprotein levels, there’s scientific evidence that these correlations are casual especially blood cholesterol levels.

high blood pressure: should not be sustained  > 140mm Hg systolic and 90mm Hg diastolic ( 140/90)

smoking: correlation and causation shown as chemicals in smoke physically damage artery linings and also cause them to constrict.

inactivity: regular vigorous exercise reduces the risk of CVD by reducing blood pressure and raising HDL levels. 

obesity: increases the risk of CVD and developing type II diabetes.