Cardiovascular disease is a multi-factorial condition and that it is essential that all risk factors and determinants are addressed at societal and individual levels.
Characteristics associated with cardiovascular health include:
- No use of tobacco,
- Adequate physical activity – at least 30 minutes 5 times a week,
- Healthy eating habits,
- No overweight,
- Blood pressure below 140/90,
- Blood cholesterol below 5 mmol/L (190mg/dl)
- Normal glucose metabolism,
- Avoidance of excessive stress.
Risk factors associated with risk of cardiovascular events can be divided into three categories:
| Biological |
Lifestyle determinants |
Broader determinants |
|
|
Fixed |
Modifiable |
| Raised blood pressure |
Tobacco use |
Age |
Income |
| Raised blood sugar |
Unhealthy diet |
Sex |
Education |
| Raised blood cholesterol |
Alcohol abuse |
Genetics |
Living conditions |
| Overweight/obesity |
Physical inactivity |
Ethnicity |
Working Conditions |
Risk factors can be addressed:
- by policy makers through providing supportive environments whether through legislative, including on taxation and marketing, or other measures,
- by individuals through behaviours favouring healthy diets, being smoke-free and engaging in regular physical activity,
- and by health professionals through advocacy and identification and treatment of people at high risk.
A life course approach to these risk factors is required starting in childhood.
The burden of established cardiovascular disease may also be reduced by early diagnosis, appropriate disease management, rehabilitation and prevention, including structured lifestyle counselling.
There is a need to be sensitive to gender-specific aspects of cardiovascular health and disease.
Continue to PART III : SIGNATORIES AGREE TO (Articles 9 - 18) ›
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