Prevencija ateroskleroze s osvrtom na gojaznost i neadekvatnu ishranu kao faktore rizika za nastanak kardiovaskularnih bolesti

Abstract

This paper will present information from relevant data sources regarding the prevention of atherosclerosis, focusing on obesity and inadequate nutrition as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The World Health Organization estimates that 17.9 million people die from CVDs each year, equaling a third of the world's death toll. CVDs are not only the leading cause of death but also of illness and disability, which indicates their great public health importance. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be an early stage of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis also occurs in children under the age of 10, while the risk of atherosclerosis increases with age. There are over 300 factors associated with atherosclerosis and key complications, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The most important of these are obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, smoking, inadequate diet, abnormal lipid values, heredity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and psychosocial factors. Reducing or eliminating all of these risk factors can help reduce the risk of CVDs. Further research in this area is needed to better define the independent risk factors for atherosclerosis and consequent CVD.