Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 26: Cardio Vascular Disease- Risk factors, Lipo and Apo proteins

Introduction

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many developed countries and will be an increasing problem for developing nations. According to WHO (2000) CAD accounts for 7 million deaths worldwide. It is estimated that by the year 2010, India will have 60% of the world’s CAD patients. To treat coronary artery disease (CAD) it is important to first recognize it. The prediction, diagnosis and treatment of CAD is based on the risk factors which help in identifying the individuals at risk. These risk factors are either modifiable or non modifiable.

Modifiable and non modifiable risk factors

Life style	Biochemical/physiological characteristic (modifiable)	Personal characteristics (non modifiable)
Diet high in saturated fat cholesterol & energy	Elevated Blood pressure	Age
Tobacco smoking	Elevated plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol	Sex
Excess consumption of alcohol		Family history of CHD at an early age (men <55years, women<65 years)
Physical activity	Low plasma, HDL cholesterol Elevated plasma triglycerides. Hyperglycemia/ diabetes Obesity Thrombogenic factors	Personal history of CHD or other atherosclerotic vascular disease.

• Coronary Heart Disease