Cardiovascular Health

1. Cardiovascular Health By Mack, Angela and Brooke

2. What is Cardiovascular health ? Refers the health of the heart and blood vessels. It is also known as heart disease or circulatory disease, includes all diseases of the heart and or blood vessels. Examples include hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a debilitating condition that can lead to reduced functioning of the heart, and in most serious cases , death.

3. Types of conditions : Ischaemic heart disease: Its risk increases with age, smoking, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and hypertension. It is the most common cause of death in most Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. Cerebrovascular disease: Refers to a group of conditions that affect the circulation to the brain, causing little or no blood flow to affected areas of the brain.

4. Why is it an National Health Priority area ?Because Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death in Australia. It is largely preventable disease Cardiovascular disease cost the health system almost 6 billion dollars in 2004-05. 3.4 million Australians reported have a chronic on going cardiovascular condition. In Australia 2007, cardiovascular disease accounted for 48 456 or 35 percent of all deaths.

5. Biological : • Being overweight and obese can lead to have excess body weight which puts a greater strain on the heart. • Having high blood pressure , makes the heart work harder to pump blood around the heart. • Higher blood cholesterol , increased risk of plague which creates a build upon the artery walls. • Genetic predisposition • Being a male as they carry more fat around the abdomen which can be a greater danger to the heart. • Hormones. • Advancing age. • Behavioural: • Tobacco smoking, increases blood pressure and contributes to plaque building on the artery walls. • Excessive alcohol consumption, increase chance of being overweight. • Insufficient physical activity. • Poor nutrition.

6. Social: • Socio economic status • Social exclusion • Unemployment • Work, job control • Food security • Transport • Stress • Early life experiences

7. The Heart Foundation’s Tick The program aims to influence the nutritional content and labelling of foods and to also encourage people to choose healthier food options. The minimum cost in 2009 was $3,000 to put the logo onto a product. It is a non government organisation that aims to reduce the number of people living with, or dying from heart, stroke and blood vessel diesase.

8. The Quit Program Is ajoint venture between the Victorian Government, the Cancer Council and the National Heart Foundation. Quit aims to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease by reducing smoking rates in Australia.

9. Costs associated with Cardiovascular Disease • Direct-Cardiovascular disease contributes to one of the highest amounts in direct costs of all NHPAs. The diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease may include: • Ambulance transport in the case of a heart attack • Medication to lower blood pressure • Bypass surgery in the event of a blocked artery • Rehabilitation after a heart attack

10. Indirect-The indirect costs of cardiovascular disease are also significant, running into the billions of dollars. Indirect costs for cardiovascular disease to the individual include: • Changes to living conditions • Social and financial changes • Indirect costs to the community include:Loss of productivity • Loss of productivity • Costs of carers

11. Intangible- As cardiovascular disease cause more deaths than any other disease or condition the intangible costs associated with premature death are significant. They include: • Pain and suffering • Mental health issues • Lifestyle changes-family members • Anxiety or stress for family related to the individual http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0zY51RhmR8