SMOKING
Cigarette smoking leads to endothelial injury and dysfunction in both coronary and peripheral arteries, elevates levels of biomarkers of inflammation, known powerful predictors of cardiovascular events. Cigarette smoking produces insulin resistance and chronic inflammation (1).
BLOOD PRESSURE
A study showed that systolic blood pressure of 120 to 129mmhg were associated with cardiovascular disease (2)
BMI
Overweight and obesity are strong risk factors for the development of CVD, particularly HF and CHD. Although the exact mechanisms connecting obesity and the development of these conditions are not completely understood, the ability of the adipose tissue to expand and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines that can directly impair cardiac systolic and diastolic function as well as the formation of atherosclerotic plaques plays a major role. (3)
CHOLESTEROL
Raised total cholesterol is a strong risk factor for CHD, with evidence of a small, but significantly stronger, effect in men compared to women. Raised total cholesterol had little effect on the risk of total stroke in both sexes (4)
BLOOD SUGAR
The overconsumption of added sugars (sucrose or table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup) has been associated with an increased risk of CVD and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (5).
EXERCISE
Frequent exercise is robustly associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Physically active individuals have lower blood pressure, higher insulin sensitivity, and a more favorable plasma lipoprotein profile (6)
NUTRITION
The DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, and vegetarian diet are the most evidence based with regard to cardiovascular disease prevention and weight loss (7)
REFERENCES
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