Time Management in Busy Units like Cardiac Units
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death among the peoples in New Zealand. The pathology of this disease is important to take note off, as further understanding would provide medical professionals and citizens alike to increase awareness and prevention as well. It has been reported that of the cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease is the major cause of death, followed by stroke, which is the greatest cause of disability in older people, and accounts for 33% of life years lost between 45 and 64 years of age (“Cardiovascular Disease”, 2005). In addition, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, with 40% of incidence among the population in New Zealand, and with more than twice as high in men as in women (Hay, 2004). Risk factors or causes of such an increase rate of cardiovascular diseases include the significant changes in the diet and lifestyle of many individuals in New Zealand, brought about by industrialization, urbanization, development in the economy and society, and globalization of the food market. Such changes in diet and lifestyle result to decrease in physical activity, intake of nutrient-poor food, and increase incidence of smoking, taking alcohol and other substances, resulting to obesity, increased blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Given this problem at hand, this assignment will discuss the Pathophsiology of cardiovascular disease. In addition, three studies will be presented, which would provide evidence for the use of Lipex, as an effective health intervention in reducing major heart complications and total mortality. The summary and findings from these three studies will be reviewed in the context of the New Zealand population.
General Pathophsiology of Cardiovascular Disease
It has been reported that research on cardiovascular diseases is one of the most developed areas of inquiry in the study of behavioral influences on health (Krantz et al., 1983). In this regard, to be able to further understand the use of Liptex as a health intervention for CVD, its pathology and physiology must first be understood. Cardiovascular Disease or CVD encompasses a number of dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins, which are responsible for supplying oxygen to the vital organs and systems in the body. Some diseases associated with cardiovascular diseases include atherosclerosis, congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart failures, inflammatory heart diseases, and valvular cardiomyopathy. Such diseases of the heart are mainly caused by plaque or fat build up in the blood vessels, which obstructs the flow of blood to all parts of the body. Obstruction of the flow of the blood in the blood vessels leads the heart to pump more blood, causing stress and excessive effort.
The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is predominantly caused by the excessive build-up of fats or plaque in the blood vessels. Chilton (2004) reports the significant link between lipids and cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease. This particular study suggests that the significant increase in the density of lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increases the risk of major coronary events. Total blood cholesterol above 200 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol above 130 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol below 35 mg/dl, and lipoprotein a) level greater than 30 mg/dl are indicators of problematic cholesterol (“Cardiovascular Disease: Facts, Disease Prevention and Treatment Strategies”, 2007). In this regard, it is best to take note of blood cholesterol levels in order to reduce the risks for cardiovascular diseases.
Aside from high cholesterol levels, there are other risk factors or causes of cardiovascular diseases, which must be taken note off, in order to increase prevention and awareness. Some of the uncontrollable risk factors include heredity, age, and sex. Some have higher risks of acquiring cardiovascular diseases than others due to the high tendency of inheriting it. In this regard, prevention and awareness for such individuals must be more efficient. Another uncontrollable risk factor is age, as the older a person gets, the more he or she is susceptible to cardiovascular disease. This is because due to aging, blood vessels tend to be more damaged and brittle. The third uncontrollable risk factor is sex. Men are more likely to acquire cardiovascular diseases than women are in general. This is maybe due to the collective risk factors, from which men are more susceptible. On the other hand, Controllable risks factors include obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and stress. Diabetes is a disorder associated with the excess of glucose or blood sugar levels in the body. Diabetes is one risk factor of cardiovascular disease because the high levels of sugar in the blood catalyze the build-up of cholesterol in the blood vessels. The build-up of sugar and cholesterol in the body is caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyles, which means that an individual lacks the opportunity to do vigorous exercises, which would reduce cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood. Smoking and stress are also risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, as nicotine in cigarettes and tobaccos contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels, while stress increases heart rate and blood pressure levels. From this, it can be perceived that the continuously changing environment contributes significantly to the exposure of individuals to such risk factors.
Conclusion
In the point of view of a person with lesser risk to acquire cardiovascular diseases, it can be perceived that the motive and intention for making stations more highly available to consumers is one good way of reducing the risks and the incidences for cardiovascular diseases in New Zealand. However, it must be realized that over-dosages and inappropriate use and intake of such drugs may present adverse effects and complications on the part of the user. In this regard, the use and intake of such drugs without the prescription or guidance of a physician or medical professional may present unwanted side effects and other diseases on the patient. Instead of making the lives of the patient easier and more convenient, the over-dosage of the drug may lead the patient to undergo more complicated and tedious medical processes for further examination and diagnosis. As such, what can be done in order to provide understanding of the drug, of the disease, and of the situation be through provision of effective and proper education and communication with the patients and all those who have increased risks for having cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, the society would have the opportunity to obtain relevant and appropriate information about Lipex and other stations that may provide them with good health. In addition, this can be taken as a good opportunity for the government to dissipate the information of the need for New Zealanders to engage in diet and exercise in order to live effectively and healthily in the society.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment