Ch #10 Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Canc
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1.Introduction: Cardiovascular disease and cancer are, by far, the
biggest causes of death in the United States. In almost every
case, these chronic conditions are caused not by
infectious disease. Instead, a combination of
genetics and lifestyle
factors affect who gets, and who dies from, these conditions. Genetics
clearly
in uences who is at highest risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Lifestyle alone cannot totally counter a heavy genetic loading for
either condition; however, behaviors can greatly reduce the risk of
developing the disease and help limit
the effects of diseases that develop. This chapter reviews
cardiovascular disease and cancer, and discusses them in terms of
epidemiology, risk factors, screening, treatment, and personal decision
making to reduce the risk of disease.
2.Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises a
group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, including
stroke, a condition that affects the brain's blood
vessel; Figure 10.1 presents the major
cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease
is the leading cause of death worldwide, with
over 17.3 million people dying in 2009.
In the United States, more than 82 million people are living with CVD; of
those, 42 million are women. Every
year, about 420,000 US. women die of CVD, equaling
a rate of about 1 death less than every 37 seconds. Stroke
accounts for approximately 1 in 18 deaths. Cardiovascular disease costs
the United States about $300 billion in a
year, with women accounting for 38% of the
cost (more than $100 billion).
Cardiovascular deaths usually occur in later
years when women are beset with a variety of
comorbid conditions,
such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, osteoporosis, and
diabetes. Figures 10.4 and 10.5 illustrate the death rates from
cardiovascular diseases among women of different races.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of disability
in women. Heart disease can be severely disabling, reducing the kinds of
activities a person can enjoy and requiring major lifestyle changes.