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Published on: Jul 27, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Cardiovascular Risk Factors Explained

To understand why we asked you these questions, we have provided a short explanation of how these risk factors increase the chance of you having heart disease. In many cases, these factors filter down to common pathways and can work together to increase the probability and damage of heart disease. Having one factor can also make it more likely to develop a second – overweight patients and those who do not exercise are more likely to develop insulin resistance and become diabetic.

High Blood Pressure:

High Blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for your cardiovascular health. 54% of strokes and 47% of heart disease worldwide can be attributed to high blood pressure. Ideally this should be kept below 140/90 if you are aged 80 or younger.

High blood pressure can cause damage to the linings of your arteries. This can make it easier for them to become blocked with fat, preventing blood from flowing to important organs. In the heart, this causes pain when exerting yourself.

Smoking:

Smoking is very bad for your health. We cannot stress this enough. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, hundreds of toxic ones, and 69 that directly cause cancer. There are no health benefits to smoking, and it increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, renal damage, as well as lung cancer, mouth cancer, oesophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, colorectal cancer and more. If there is cancer, smoking increases its risk.

Lipids:

A diet high in lipids and cholesterol can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol can account for as much as 56% of all heart disease cases, and 18% of strokes. Cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow. This can limit blood flow to important organs, causing pain or stroke like symptoms. This process is called atherosclerosis (artery hardening).

If this plaque ruptures, then a large clot can form, which can completely block an artery. If this happens in the coronary arteries of the heart it can cause a heart attack. In the brain it will cause a stroke. In both cases if parts of the heart or brain die, your health can deteriorate significantly. It can even cause death.

Diabetes:

Diabetes occurs when the body does not respond as well to insulin. This can increase the level of blood sugars in your body. At least 68% of people over 65 years old with diabetes die from heart disease. 16% die of stroke. If you have diabetes you are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease.

High blood sugars cause damage to the heart and arteries in multiple ways. The sugars themselves cause damage to small arteries supplying your heart and eyes, as well as damage to the nerves and kidneys themselves. In the eyes this diabetic retinopathy can cause worsening vision, in the kidneys, it can affect filtration and cause diabetic nephropathy.

It also increases the risk of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis, as well as causing chronic inflammation in the arteries and increasing the likelihood of blood clotting.

Weight and exercise:

Being overweight or obese, or not exercising daily, can increase your risk of heart disease. The effects of obesity are deeper than just additional fat and appearances. It can cause deep-seated changes to your body’s metabolism, leading to a condition called metabolic syndrome.

Obesity can cause your blood cholesterol levels to rise, due to the high amount of fat in your diet and also deposited around your body. This can also increase insulin resistance and therefore lead to diabetes. Finally, a large amount of fat tissue needs more blood to supply it with oxygen. The heart needs to pump harder to meet this demand, putting it under strain, and it can cause your blood pressure to rise.

Exercise acts in the opposite way. It reduces the amount of cholesterol in your blood, reduces your risk of diabetes and can lower your blood pressure.

Family History:

If you have a family history of heart disease, you are unfortunately at a higher risk of having heart disease yourself. This does depend on whether it is a close family member who has been diagnosed, and the age they were diagnosed. The younger their diagnosis, the closer the family relation, the stronger the link.

This is because your genes can influence the likelihood of you developing some of the risk factors we have listed above. There is no single gene, it is usually a combination of genes, each one subtly increasing the risk until it has an effect on your health.

You cannot change your genes, but you can change the other modifiable risk factors we have discussed above.

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Sleep Disorder Treatment: Effective Ways to Restore Healthy Sleep

Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for physical restoration, mental clarity and emotional balance. Despite its importance, sleep disorders are increasingly common across all age groups. Millions of people struggle with poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep or frequent nighttime awakenings, often without seeking help.

Effective sleep disorder treatment plays a critical role in restoring healthy sleep patterns and preventing long-term health complications.

Understanding Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are conditions that disrupt normal sleep patterns, affecting the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep or achieve restorative sleep. They can be short-term or chronic and may occur due to lifestyle factors, medical conditions or psychological stress.

According to global and Indian health data, sleep disorders are underdiagnosed despite their strong association with chronic diseases.

Common Types of Sleep Disorders

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder.

It involves:

difficulty falling asleep
frequent awakenings
early morning waking
non-restorative sleep

Chronic insomnia significantly affects daily functioning.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.

Symptoms include:

loud snoring
daytime sleepiness
morning headaches

Untreated sleep apnea increases cardiovascular risk.

Restless Leg Syndrome

This condition causes uncomfortable leg sensations and an urge to move the legs, especially at night.

It disrupts sleep continuity and quality.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

These occur when the body’s internal clock is misaligned with daily schedules, common in shift workers and frequent travellers.

Why Sleep Disorders Should Not Be Ignored

Chronic sleep problems increase the risk of:

heart disease
hypertension
diabetes
obesity
depression and anxiety
reduced immunity

Poor sleep affects both physical and mental health.

Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders often result from multiple factors, including:

chronic stress
irregular sleep schedules
excessive screen exposure
caffeine or alcohol use
medical conditions
mental health disorders

Identifying root causes is essential for effective treatment.

Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders

Diagnosis involves:

detailed sleep history
lifestyle assessment
medical evaluation
sleep studies in selected cases

Accurate diagnosis guides appropriate treatment.

Sleep Disorder Treatment Approaches

Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a highly effective non-drug treatment.

It focuses on:

correcting sleep-related thoughts
improving sleep routines
reducing anxiety around sleep

CBT-I is recommended as first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.

Lifestyle and Sleep Hygiene Measures

Good sleep hygiene includes:

maintaining regular sleep timings
limiting screen exposure before bedtime
creating a comfortable sleep environment
avoiding heavy meals late at night

These measures support natural sleep regulation.

Medical Management

Medications may be used:

short-term for severe symptoms
under medical supervision

Medication is often combined with behavioural therapy rather than used alone.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Management may include:

weight management
positional therapy
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices
treating underlying conditions

Early treatment reduces cardiovascular risk.

Role of Mental Health in Sleep Disorders

Sleep and mental health are closely connected.

Conditions such as anxiety and depression:

disrupt sleep architecture
worsen insomnia
require integrated treatment

Addressing mental health improves sleep outcomes.

Importance of Consistency in Treatment

Sleep disorder treatment requires:

patience
consistency
follow-up

Improvement may take weeks, but sustained effort yields lasting results.

Preventing Sleep Disorders

Preventive strategies include:

stress management
physical activity
balanced nutrition
limiting stimulants
maintaining work-life balance

Prevention is more effective than treatment alone.

Impact of Technology on Sleep

Excessive screen use affects melatonin production and delays sleep onset.

Reducing nighttime screen exposure significantly improves sleep quality.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult a healthcare provider if:

sleep problems persist beyond two weeks
daytime functioning is affected
snoring and breathing pauses are noticed
sleepiness interferes with safety

Early treatment prevents complications.

Long-Term Benefits of Treating Sleep Disorders

Effective sleep disorder treatment leads to:

improved energy and concentration
better mood and emotional stability
reduced chronic disease risk
enhanced quality of life

Healthy sleep supports overall wellbeing.

Conclusion

Sleep disorder treatment is essential for restoring physical health, mental clarity and emotional balance. While sleep problems are common, they are not normal or harmless. Insomnia, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can be effectively managed through behavioural therapy, lifestyle changes and medical care when needed. Early recognition and consistent treatment not only improve sleep quality but also protect long-term health. Prioritising sleep is a powerful step toward a healthier and more productive life.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Sleep Health and Lifestyle Studies
World Health Organization (WHO) – Sleep and Mental Health Guidelines
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) – Sleep Disorders Research
Lancet Psychiatry – Sleep Disorders and Chronic Disease Risk
NITI Aayog – Mental Health and Preventive Healthcare Reports
Statista – Global Sleep Disorder Prevalence and Trends

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