According to the World Health Organization, "cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause." The worst part about this: Most cardiovascular diseases could have been prevented by simply addressing behavioral risk factors.
The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. The arteries take the blood away from the heart and the veins bring it back to it, completing the circuit. This process is what brings oxygen, nutrients, and protection to the body 's cells. It is also the process that takes waste materials from the cells to be removed from the body. If the cardiovascular (cardio – heart, vascular – veins and arteries) system does not work properly, the body cannot function.
The main enemies of a strong cardiovascular system are high blood pressure, obesity, and high LDL cholesterol levels. Having extra fat on the body makes the heart work harder to pump the blood. The extra work increases blood pressure which can damage the heart. Cholesterol collects on the walls of the arteries and veins causing plaque buildup. This narrow their diameter and makes it more …show more content…
The chemical is tobacco smoke are highly damaging to the heart and blood vessels. Smoking is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Homecare assistants can help your senior loved one stick to a smoking cessation program through social support, keeping them occupied with alternative activities, keeping healthy snacks on hand to replace the oral fixation component of smoking, and so forth. They can also help with the transportation to and from smoking cessation classes. Mayo notes that the risk of coronary heart disease "significantly reduces one year after quitting smoking....[the] risk of coronary heart disease drops almost to that of a nonsmoker in about 15