Risk Factors and Determinants of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
Risk Factors and Determinants of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
Major Behavioural Risk Factors:
The primary lifestyle-related risk factors contributing to heart disease and stroke include:
- Unhealthy diet (high salt, sugar, saturated and trans fats)
- Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco consumption in all forms
- Harmful alcohol use
- Air pollution as a significant environmental contributor
Intermediate/Clinical Risk Factors:
Behavioural and environmental exposures often manifest clinically as:
- Raised blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Elevated blood glucose levels (Diabetes/Prediabetes)
- Raised blood lipids/cholesterol
- Overweight and obesity