Cardiovascular Health Objectives Identify two factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Describe behaviors that can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Quick Quiz Only one of the following statements is true. Which statement do you think it is? Heart attacks and strokes can’t be prevented. Teens do not need to be concerned about cardiovascular disease. Smokers are more likely to have a heart attack than are nonsmokers. To be healthy, you need to exercise intensely every day. You do not need to be concerned about what you eat if you exercise regularly. Explain why you gave the answer that you did. Switch to QuickTake version of the quiz.

Cardiovascular Diseases Hypertension and high blood cholesterol are two factors that increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Both factors may begin in your teens.

Hypertension A person whose blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or greater has hypertension. Hypertension damages blood vessel walls due to the increased force of the blood. The heart must work extra hard to pump blood through the body.

Blood Cholesterol Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol to body tissues for use or storage. Plaque is a substance that builds up in artery walls. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall hardens and thickens due to plaque buildup. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) pick up excess cholesterol from body tissues and artery walls and carry it to the liver.

Heart Attack and Stroke As artery walls thicken, blood flow is constricted. Some cells may not receive adequate oxygen or a blood clot could block the narrowed artery. If the artery carries blood to your heart muscles, a heart attack may result. If the artery carries blood to your brain, a stroke may result.

Fast Foods and In-Store Ads Have you ever entered a fast food restaurant intending to order something healthy or to eat light? Once inside, though, did you change your mind? These questions can help you understand how restaurants influence your food choices.

Do photos of tempting foods entice you to order them? Is it difficult to find nutrition information about the foods? Does the restaurant offer large servings at “bargain” prices? Are there more high-fat foods and high-sugar options than healthy foods? Does the person taking your order suggest additional foods for you to try? “Yes” answers reveal some of the techniques restaurants use to get you to order different foods or more food than you originally planned.

Other Cardiovascular Disorders Heart Murmur is an extra sound, in addition to the lub-dub, a doctor hears when listening to a heartbeat. Opening in Heart Wall is a hole in the wall separating the two atria. Oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood will mix in the heart, reducing its efficiency. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat.

Keeping Healthy • Establishing healthy habits now will decrease your risk of serious health problems in the future. To help maintain cardiovascular health, you should exercise regularly eat a nutrient-rich, balanced diet avoid smoking

Exercise Teens should spend 60 minutes performing physical activity every day, or at least most days. Heart muscles strengthen, allowing more blood to be pumped with each beat. Blood pressure may decrease. HDL levels may increase. Stress levels may lower.

Diet No matter how much you exercise, you still need to pay attention to what and how much you eat. To reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease limit your intake of fried or processed foods and of foods made from animal products eat high-fiber foods limit your salt intake

Avoid Smoking Tobacco products damage blood vessels and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Smokers are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack than nonsmokers.

Vocabulary low-density lipoprotein A substance that carries cholesterol to body tissues for storage; “bad” cholesterol. plaque A substance that builds up in artery walls and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. atherosclerosis A condition in which an artery wall hardens and thickens due to plaque buildup. high-density lipoprotein A substance that picks up excess cholesterol from body tissues and artery walls and carries it to the liver. arrhythmia An irregular heartbeat.