An-Najah National University – Faculty of Graduate Studies - November 10, 2009 - Back to Resources Page

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1.1 Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer are increasing worldwide and they are associated with poor quality of life and increased economical burden; therefore, development of preventive measures against chronic diseases is imperative. For the prevention process, it is important to identify the risk factors of these chronic diseases. In Sweden, the cardiovascular risk factors which are detected, treated and done follow up visits for it are hypertension, dyslipidaemia, LDL-C, hyperglycemia and smoking. Chronic diseases may arise either as an accumulation of risks or as exposure to risk factors at critical periods in life, thus a person with more risk factors has a greater chance of developing coronary heart disease. Also the greater the level of this risk factors, the greater the risk.

1.2 Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical public health issue, nationally and internationally. It was responsible for less than 10% of all global deaths at the beginning of the 20th century, but in 2005 that number was 30%. About 80% of these deaths were in low- and middle-income countries. Of these cardiovascular diseases coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke are the first and second most common causes of death worldwide5. In developed countries like the United Kingdom, it was found that 39% of deaths to be related to CVD in 20026. In Comparison, Arab countries like Jordan has mortality rate as high as 38.2% associated with CVD7. Similarly, CVD has been found to be the leading cause of death among adults in Palestine in 20058, 21 % of deaths were due to heart diseases and 11 % to cerebrovascular diseases.

There are many risk factors for cardiovascular diseases that lead to enhanced risk of developing CVD. For example, there are more than 200 risk factors for CHD but the most significant risk factor is abnormal lipid values. However, the main CVD risk factors are smoking, diet, obesity, hypertension, physical inactivity, dyslipidaemia, genetic influences, family history and diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is recognized to be associated with a number of specific adverse cardiovascular risk factors as hypertension; obesity; central obesity; hyperinsulinemia; elevated serum triglycerides and elevated total cholesterol. In addition, the present of these cardiovascular risk factors in people can predict the development of diabetes. These risk factors, in addition to other important cardiovascular risk factors as family history; smoking and physical inactivity will be studied in this research among diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls in Nablus district.

1.3 Cardiovascular risk Factors
In the last years, prevention and treatment of CVD risk factors have resulted in lowering CVD-related mortality. However, many patients identify these factors but they do not have them adequately controlled.

• Physical Inactivity
Despite the debate about the amount, intensity, frequency and duration of activity for optimal health, researchers concur that physical activity is necessary for the metabolic and cardiovascular benefits. Physical activity can slow the initiation and development of diabetes and the sequence of CVD through its effect on body weight, insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, blood pressure, fibrinolysis, endothelial function and inflammatory defense systems. Moreover, physical activity can lessen triglycerides and have an effect on both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL particle sizes

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An-Najah National University – Faculty of Graduate Studies - November 10, 2009 - Back to Resources Page