Introduction to Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Stanford University
Learn how to recognize heart disease from experts at Stanford Medicine. Explore the impact of risk factors on coronary artery disease (CAD) and how improved lifestyle changes such as eating patterns, exercise, weight loss, and smoking cessation can lower that risk.
About this Course
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, for both men and women. Yet, heart disease is largely preventable, specifically through the early detection and treatment of risk factors. Throughout this course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), you will learn how to recognize ASCVD risk factors and uncover some of the misconceptions relating to preventive cardiology, such as an underemphasis on lifestyle impact. You will begin to explore how lifestyle choices can lower the risk of coronary artery disease and learn how to apply appropriate methods to assess an individual's ASCVD risk.
What You'll Learn
- How to recognize which risk factors contribute to atherosclerosis, and how atherosclerosis causes ASCVD.
- How to recognize the behavioral risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- How to outline the lifestyle goals for reducing coronary artery disease risk.
- How to apply appropriate methods to assess behavioral risk factors.
Instructors
Dr. David Maron
C. F. Rehnborg Professor of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University Medical Center