Analyzing Heart Disease Risk

Analyzing Heart Disease
Risk

By Emily-Amanda Downing
Anatomy & Physiology B
02.11.2022

What Is Heart Disease? Risk Factors &
Preventatives of Heart
The term “heart disease” is used to
describe a wide and varying range of heart Disease
related complications. Heart disease
includes but is not limited to blood vessel A risk factor is something generally a
disease, coronary artery disease, heart lifestyle choice that increases risk of heart
rhythm problems (arrhythmias), congenital disease later in life. A risk preventative, as can
heart defects, heart valve disease, disease of be gathered from the name is a factor which
the heart muscle, and heart infection. decreases the chances of developing heart
disease later in life.
Doctors agree that many heart disease
symptoms and risk factors can be improved Risk factors may include poor diet &
on with healthy lifestyle choices, although nutrition, sleep schedule, stress levels, family
there are many unknowns when dealing history, excessive drinking, smoking, or other
with heart disease. tobacco or nicotine consumption. Preventative
risks are habits beneficial to a person’s health
such as exercise.

*Shown in percentages.

Personal
Medical History

In my findings, I was
very surprised by the stark
difference in total knowledge
or total lack of knowledge of
the participants of my
questionnaire. There appears
to be no in between on the
scale of no knowledge of
family history to full
knowledge of family history.

*Symptoms present of insomnia.

Sleep Schedules Healthy Eating

The recommended hours of sleep (graph While learning about the cardiovascular
portrayed on the previous slide) for a healthily and circulatory system the past few weeks, I
functioning adult is seven hours. Plenty of have wondered how many people are aware of
sleep is a preventative factor because sleep how influenced by diet and nutrition their
allows the body’s blood pressure to fall to true health is. Eating good food keeps the body
resting rate. Staying awake longer keeps our fueled and gives it nutrients vital to proper
blood pressure higher, for longer. function. Chart displayed on next slide.



Trends Among “Patients”

I see a few trends among my participants, however I will say that I have a very small
sampling of only nine people, most of which are female and/or Caucasian. Both being
uncontrollable factors which lower chances for heart disease overall. I do recognize a trend
between age and likelihood of developing heart disease but good or “bad” eating doesn’t
seem to have correlating factors with heart disease just based on my sampling.

It seems to me that bad habits such as poor exercise, too little sleep, family history,
drinking, smoking, and diabetes will all dramatically increase chances of developing heart
disease. But, good habits like healthy eating, exercise, and sleeping consistently only
minimally improve the chances of developing heart disease later on in life.

Sources Cited:

➢ “Heart Disease - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 9 Feb. 2021,
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118.

➢ “Heart Disease Risk Calculator.” Mayo Clinic Health System,
www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/cannon-falls/services-and-treatments/cardiology/hea
rt-disease-risk-calculator. Accessed 12 Feb. 2022.

➢ “Know Your Risk for Heart Disease | Cdc.Gov.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9
Dec. 2019, www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm.

➢ “Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Attack.” Www.Heart.Org, heart.org,
www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to-prevent-a-heart-attack.
Accessed 12 Feb. 2022.

➢ “What Is My BMI?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Jan. 2022,
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.ht
ml.