Risk factors associated with coronary heart disease: diet, blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure. Candidates should be able to describe and explain data relating to the relationship between specific risk factors and the incidence of coronary heart disease

A number of factors can increase the risk of coronary heart disease:

Diet

• Salt raises blood pressure.
• Saturated fat increases blood cholesterol.

Blood cholesterol

• Low-density lipoproteins associate with white blood cells to cause atheromas.
• High-density lipoproteins help lower cholesterol.

Smoking

• Nicotine stimulates the production of adrenalin, this causes a quicker heart rate and therefore raises the blood pressure.
• Nicotine makes platelets stick together, so thrombosis is more likely.
• Carbon monoxide combines with heamaglobin so less oxygen can be carried in the blood. The heart has to pump more quickly to deliver the same amount of oxygen, so blood pressure is raised. The heart muscles may not get enough oxygen leading to a heart attack or angina (chest pain).

High blood pressure

• Arteries are put under more pressure so will form hard walls to resist the pressure- these thicker walls constrict blood flow.
• The pressure can burst open the arteries (haemorrhage).