VMBO Year 2 · HAVO/VWO Years 2–3 · Circulation · Section 3.6

Healthy living

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood against vessel walls, usually measured in arteries. It varies with activity and emotions.

Persistently high blood pressure can damage vessels and increase cardiovascular risk. Risk factors include smoking, excess salt intake, excess body fat and inherited factors; stress can also affect blood pressure.

Low blood pressure is often harmless but can cause symptoms in some circumstances.

Atherosclerosis

In atherosclerosis, fatty material and inflammatory cells build up in an artery wall, forming a plaque that may also contain calcium.

Arteries can become narrower and less elastic. Reduced blood flow may limit oxygen supply to tissues beyond the narrowing.

Changes can begin early in life. Avoiding smoking, eating a balanced diet and being physically active help reduce risk.

Heart attack

A plaque can rupture, triggering a blood clot that blocks an artery. If this happens in a coronary artery, part of the heart muscle may lose its oxygen supply and become damaged or die.

This is a heart attack, a potentially life-threatening emergency.

A healthy lifestyle

Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood vessels. Both inherited factors and lifestyle influence risk. Long-lasting stress can affect physical and emotional health.

Habits supporting health include:

• Not smoking.
• Avoiding alcohol, especially during adolescence.
• Eating a varied diet without excessive salt.
• Being active regularly. For school-age children and teenagers, guidance recommends an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per day across the week.
• Allowing time for rest, sleep and relaxation.

Alcohol

Alcohol depresses nervous-system activity and affects the brain, liver and senses. It can reduce reaction speed, lower inhibitions and impair memory.

Young people are particularly vulnerable because their brains and bodies are developing. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of injury, dependence and other harm.

A hangover can involve headache, thirst and nausea, caused by several effects including disrupted sleep, fluid imbalance and alcohol breakdown products.

Alcohol poisoning can impair consciousness, breathing and other vital functions. There is no single blood-alcohol threshold that is safe for every person. Binge drinking, consuming a large amount in a short time, raises the risk.