Pathophysiology in Public Health
Chapter 10 and Case Study
Week 3: Small Group Assignment Team 2
John F. Kennedy University
Summer 2014
Editor: Brenda Castolo
1. What is the metabolic syndrome and how can it be avoided? (Brenda)
Metabolic syndrome is defined by our textbook as "A group of metabolic risk factors in one person; these may include: obesity, insulin resistance or intolerance, hypertension, and altherogenic dyslipidemia"(Battle, 2009). Commonly, an individual with metabolic syndrome has specific physical characteristics, such as excess body fat, especially around the waist line. Metabolic syndrome is in fact a "cluster" of various health issues that occur at the same time. In …show more content…
Case Study Questions (case study can be found on pages 133 and 141 of your textbook)
Ahmed:
• How could the social support from the family have been helpful to Ahmed in reducing his risk of future heart attacks? (Daniela)
Ahmed appeared to have a good relationship with his family. Unfortunately, as a whole, the family did not make the necessary changes to decrease his risk to future heart attacks; thus, his "old" health behaviors were sustained. It was difficult for the family to persuade Ahmed to change his unhealthy habits because he felt "fulfilled" living and eating as he wished. Nevertheless, he did make several attempts to change his behavior. A good influence and guide was his young daughter that happened to be a doctor. To improve Ahmed 's health status, not only was it important to have his healthcare team communicate to him and his family about the importance of modifying his lifestyle choices, such as their diet, but also the importance of making small changes that could potentially save his life. What elements of his lifestyle were harmful? Could his family have played a more effective role in helping him manage his CVD? …show more content…
They can discuss their journey or struggle through reducing their risk or symptoms of heart disease and the ways in which they can modify and control them.
How doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers can work together to bring about these changes is by focusing on prevention and treatment plans that will help any patient with heart disease or at risk for heart disease.
1. Implement a prevention program o Early detection: evaluating each patient his or her risk assessment for heart disease at every wellness visit or every few weeks.
i. Clinical diagnosis (blood pressure, CT scan, stress test, blood cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus risk, and obesity and overweight measurements). ii. Evaluate a patient’s lifestyle, genetics, family history, history of exposure to cardiac toxins, etc. iii. Advice and recommend either prescribed medication or lifestyle changes or both to the patient in regards to their level of risk. iv. Educate patients about what is best to do when a heart attack or stroke is taking place. o Awareness campaigns and pamphlets for the warnings and signs of a heart