Background Information: An Explantion of the Science and Science Education Ideas in the Lesson and Video

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for adults ages 65 and older in the United States.  It is the second leading cause of death for children ages 0-14.  Because of the prevalence of heart disease in the United States, it is imperative to educate the young population about the risk factors that can lead to one of the many types of cardiovascular disease. 

Our video shows a variety of common activities that people perform on a daily basis.  The video compares healthy and unhealthy lifestyle choices in hopes of exposing the numerous ways a person can be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Cardiovascular Disease is caused by numerous risk factors.  Risk factors include (but are not limited to):

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to the class of diseases caused by weakening and/or malfunction of the heart and blood vessels.  There are several types of cardiovascular diseases, some congenital and others caused by lifestyle choices.  The lesson and accompanying class activity focuses only on the CVDs caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices.  A brief description of some of these CVDs follows...  

Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure. This is a condition where the blood pressure of an individual is chronically elevated, higher than 140/90 (a systolic pressure greater than 140 and a diastolic pressure greater than 90).

Stroke – This is a condition characterized as loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.  It can be caused a blood clot (aka embolism) or hemorrhage (internal bleeding in the brain).   

Aneurysm – Localized blood filled dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, causing weakening or rupture of the blood vessel.  Aneurysms most commonly occur in the arteries at the base of the brain (called the circle of Willis) and in the aorta. 

Atherosclerosis –A chronic inflammatory response in the arterial walls, due to build-up of LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).  This accumulation of cholesterol hardens the blood vessels and could eventually break, forming a free-floating blood clot.  Atherosclerosis typically begins in early adolescence.

Pericardial Disease (aka Percarditis) – This condition is characterized as inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium).   

Angina – Chest pains caused by a lack of oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart, most commonly caused by obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart).   Coronary artery disease is the main cause of angina. 

Congestive Heart Failure – A condition that results from a structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood to the body.

Valvular Heart Disease – A class of diseases that affects one or more valves of the heart; may be congenital or acquired. 

Coronary Artery Disease – This is the disease of the arteries that provide oxygen and nutrients to the muscles of the heart.  This CVD is the number one cause of death for men and women ages 65 and older.

Cardiomyopathy –deterioration of the function of heart muscle (myocardium), for any reason. 

Myocardial Infarction – also known as heart attack. This condition occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted, which can cause damage and/or death of heart tissue.