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Heart Disease

How much do you know about keeping your heart healthy?

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Are you curious about the link between heart health and obesity? Take this quick and informative quiz to test your knowledge on how these two aspects are interconnected. Discover key facts and learn more about the importance of obesity management and how it can impact heart health.

Take the quiz now to see how much you know and where you may need to explore further.  

Question 1 of 10

About cardiovascular disease

About cardiovascular disease

What does cardiovascular disease refer to?

While the symptoms of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and stroke, may feel like they affect the whole body, the disease itself is specific to the blood vessels that help blood flow in your heart and brain. Some of the common symptoms include pain and discomfort in the chest, left shoulder, arms, jaw and back. Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

While the symptoms of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and stroke, may feel like they affect the whole body, the disease itself is specific to the blood vessels that help blood flow in your heart and brain. Some of the common symptoms include pain and discomfort in the chest, left shoulder, arms, jaw and back. Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term used to describe health problems that affect the heart and/or blood circulation. It primarily includes conditions that narrow or block the blood vessels, such as heart attacks and stroke.

About cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, true or false?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting to a third of global deaths in 2021. It is also responsible for just under 40% of preventable deaths worldwide, which highlights the importance of early detection, and prevention measures.

As shocking as it may seem, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In fact, in 2021 alone, 20.5 million people died due to cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, making it the leading causes of death. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to understand the impact of your cardiovascular health.

About cardiovascular disease

What are the most common symptoms of a heart attack that you should be aware of?

Although stomach pain, fever and stiffness are not symptoms of a heart attack, sudden onset of severe headaches, tightness in the chest and dizziness could be signs to seek immediate medical assistance. Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention

The most well-known symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, although a person experiencing a stroke, or a heart attack may also have other symptoms. These include finding it difficult to breathe, discomfort in arms and left shoulder and even sudden weakness in one side of the body. Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention

Although stomach pain, fever and stiffness are not symptoms of a heart attack, sudden onset of severe headaches, tightness in the chest and dizziness could be signs to seek immediate medical assistance. Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention

Implications

High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. How can obesity increase the risk of high blood pressure?

Obesity impacts many key functions in your body, in fact, hypertension can be associated with obesity in 75% of cases.

Obesity impacts many key functions in your body, in fact, hypertension can be associated with obesity in 75% of cases.

Obesity impacts many key functions in your body, in fact, hypertension can be associated with obesity in 75% of cases.

An estimated 75% of hypertension cases can be related to obesity. Therefore, it is important to adopt weight management strategies to reduce the risk of developing obesity-related hypertension, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important to seek professional medical advice to learn more about cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.

Implications

What is the definition of atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis can cause a heart attack when the arteries that supply blood to the heart are completely blocked.

A more complex term within cardiovascular disease vocabulary, atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque in the arteries which limits blood flow. You may not experience any symptoms until you have a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack and stroke.

A more complex term within cardiovascular disease vocabulary, atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque in the arteries which limits blood flow. You may not experience any symptoms until you have a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack and stroke.

Treatment and maintenance

Which of the following interventions are used in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease?

The cardiovascular risk factors are widely known and should be monitored as part of weight management. It is important to get regular check-ups and follow advice from your healthcare professionals to reduce the risk factors associated with reduced cardiovascular health.

Tracking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which are common cardiovascular risk factors for cardiovascular disease can help your doctor recommend the best weight management plan for you.

Tracking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which are common cardiovascular risk factors for cardiovascular disease can help your doctor recommend the best weight management plan for you.

Tracking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which are common cardiovascular risk factors for cardiovascular disease can help your doctor recommend the best weight management plan for you.

Treatment and maintenance

What is the relationship between weight loss and your cardiovascular health for someone living with excess weight?

According to research, a reduction in excess weight lowers the cardiovascular risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, in people living with obesity. This reduction in risk tends to happen when people reduce their body weight by 5 -10%. To achieve this, it can be helpful to work with healthcare professionals to develop a tailored and sustainable weight management plan.

According to research, a reduction in excess weight lowers the cardiovascular risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, in people living with obesity. This reduction in risk tends to happen when people reduce their body weight by 5 -10%. To achieve this, it can be helpful to work with healthcare professionals to develop a tailored and sustainable weight management plan.

People living with obesity are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease due to several obesity-related risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Therefore, reducing body weight by 5-10 % may help improve these cardiovascular risk factors. It’s important to work with a healthcare professional to develop a sustainability weight management plan.

According to research, a reduction in excess weight lowers the cardiovascular risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, in people living with obesity. This reduction in risk tends to happen when people reduce their body weight by 5 -10%. To achieve this, it can be helpful to work with healthcare professionals to develop a tailored and sustainable weight management plan.

Treatment and maintenance

What percentage of heart attack or stroke survivors are at a risk of experiencing another event in their lifetime?

It is estimated that around half of heart attack or stroke survivors will be at risk of experiencing another heart episode. Early interventions are required to improve these statistics.

According to a study, it was estimated that around half of heart attack or stroke survivors will live with the risk of experiencing another event in their lifetime. Find out how you can reduce the cardiovascular risk factors associated with these types of events here.

It is estimated that around half of heart attack or stroke survivors will be at risk of experiencing another heart episode. Early interventions are required to improve these statistics.

Prevention and support

How does obesity worsen cardiovascular risk factors in those with a family history?

Obesity causes about 75% of all cases of high blood pressure (hypertension) which is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. This condition is often more prevalent in those with a family history. It is important to consult a medical professional to understand the impact obesity can have on your health.

Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by aiding the risk factors such as high blood pressure, which are prevalent in individuals with a family history. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to understand the impact obesity can have on your heart health.

Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by aiding the risk factors such as high blood pressure, which are prevalent in individuals with a family history. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to understand the impact obesity can have on your heart health.

Obesity increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by aiding the risk factors such as high blood pressure, which are prevalent in individuals with a family history. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to understand the impact obesity can have on your heart health.

Prevention and support

How can the risk of cardiovascular disease be assessed?

The Waist to Height Ratio calculator compares waist size (measurement of waist circumference) to height and provides a more accurate assessment of central obesity, otherwise known as fat that is carried in the abdomen. This type of fat is associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as increased blood pressure.

Unfortunately, tracking heart rate or sleep is not a solid assessment of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, a Waist to Height Ratio calculator that compares waist size (measurement of waist circumference) to height can provide a more accurate assessment of central obesity which is associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as increased blood pressure.

Unfortunately, tracking heart rate or sleep is not a solid assessment of the risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, a Waist to Height Ratio calculator that compares waist size (measurement of waist circumference) to height can provide a more accurate assessment of central obesity which is associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as increased blood pressure.

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What does cardiovascular disease refer to?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, true or false?

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What are the most common symptoms of a heart attack that you should be aware of?

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High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. How can obesity increase the risk of high blood pressure?
What is the definition of atherosclerosis?
Which of the following interventions are used in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease?
What is the relationship between weight loss and your cardiovascular health for someone living with excess weight?

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What percentage of heart attack or stroke survivors are at a risk of experiencing another event in their lifetime?
How does obesity worsen cardiovascular risk factors in those with a family history?

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How can the risk of cardiovascular disease be assessed?

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References
  1. NHS (2023). Cardiovascular Disease. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/.
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) factsheet. 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Last accessed April 2022
  3. World Heart Federation. WORLD HEART REPORT 2023 CONFRONTING the WORLD’S NUMBER ONE KILLER. 2023.
  4. Leggio, M., Lombardi, M., Caldarone, E. et al. The relationship between obesity and hypertension: an updated comprehensive overview on vicious twins. Hypertens Res 40, 947–963 (2017).
  5. Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Risks and Tests. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease. Last accessed: April 2024
  6. Lopez-Jimenez F, Almahmeed W, Bays H, et al. Obesity and cardiovascular disease: mechanistic insights and management strategies. A joint position paper by the World Heart Federation and World Obesity Federation. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2022;29(17):2218-2237. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwac187
  7. Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, et al. Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(7):1481-1486. doi:10.2337/dc10-2415
  8. Escofet Peris, Marina et al. “Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality after First and Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in the ARTPER Cohort.” Journal of clinical medicine vol. 9,12 4064. 16 Dec. 2020, doi:10.3390/jcm9124064
  9. Shariq O, McKenzie T. Obesity-related hypertension: a review of pathophysiology, management, and the role of metabolic surgery. Gland Surg. 2020;9(1):80-93.
  10. Ashwell, M. (2011). Charts Based on Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio to Assess the Health Risks of Obesity: A Review. The Open Obesity Journal, 3(1), pp.78–84. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/1876823701103010078.

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