Chronic Diseases and Comorbid Conditions: Cardiovascular Disease Flashcards
Upon completion of this deck, the learner will be able to identify strategies to prevent initial or recurrent cardiac events, list common screening and diagnostic tests used to detect CAD, discuss the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and explain dietary strategies for clients with CVD.
True or False
Coronary artery disease affects veins, arteries, and capillaries of the body.
False.
CAD only affects the arteries.
What are some intermediate tests used to check for CVD?
- Exercise stress tests
- Pharmacologic stress tests
- Echocardiogram
When a client previously diagnosed with CVD starts an exercise program, what is the recommended intensity level (in METs)?
2-3 METs
This can gradually increase over the span of 2-3 months, provided that they stay asymptomatic.
True or False
Those exercising at a vigorous activity level are at higher risk for reoccurring heart attacks than those who exercise at a moderate intensity.
True.
Research has found that there is a potential for a plateau or decline in survival benefit at more extreme levels of endurance exercise. More research is needed, but it is believed to occur because excessive exercisers place more stress on the heart at one time and may also partake in other additional risks.
Clients with hypertension and are at increased risk for CVD should follow what diet: vegetarian, American, or DASH?
DASH
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet consists primarily of fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources such as chicken and fish, and low-dairy. This diet is naturally low in sodium, cholesterol, and fat, and has been shown to reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of developing CVD.
Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term used to identify what other diseases?
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Angina pectoris
- Congestive heart failure
What foods are shown to have cardioprotective properties?
- Fish
- Shellfish
- White poultry and occasionally lean red meat such as bison
- Minimally processed whole grains such as quinoa and brown rice
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts and legumes such as beans
- Vegetable oils including olive, canola, and soybean oil
- Egg whites
- High fiber foods such as beans, oats, and oatmeal
- Water
Which diet is better for individuals who have ischemic heart disease: vegetarian, Mediterranean, or the DASH diet?
Vegetarian
Research shows people who have ischemic heart disease that decrease the amount of red meat in the diet or consume a vegetarian diet have a lower risk of death, even after adjusting for potential confounding variables.
Each 10 bpm reduction in resting heart rate is found to reduce the risk of death by ____%.
30%
True or False
In the COACH trial, it was determined that dietitians and other non-drug-prescribing health professionals were less effective than traditional medicine at improving risk factors.
False.
During the COACH (Coaching patients on achieving cardiovascular health), people working with non-drug-prescribing health professionals had a greater improvement in total cholesterol levels and other risk factors.
Inactive clients with CVD should avoid what kind of activities?
- High-intensity activity
- Raquet sports
- Skiing
- Highly competitive sports such as basketball or football
- Deer hunting
- Snow shoveling
What foods are shown to have anti-cardioprotective properties?
- Dairy
- Egg yolks
- Refined grains such as white bread and rice
- Processed meats such as hotdogs, deli meat, or bacon
- Sugar
- Sweetened beverages or diet sodas
- Bakery goods
- Fats, oils, or foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
- Tropical oils such as avocado or coconut oil
- Salt
- Alcohol
What are the 5 A’s to healthcare?
- Arrange
- Assist
- Agree
- Advise
- Assess
Physical activity is considered to be anti-atherosclerotic. What does this mean?
Physical activity helps prevent atherosclerosis. It has this effect by:
- Improving blood lipid levels
- Decreasing blood pressure
- Decreasing body fat
- Decreasing inflammation
- Increasing insulin sensitivity
Quitting smoking by age 50 can decrease a person’s risk of CVD by ____.
Half.
People who quit smoking by age 50 cut their risk of CVD in half. Those who quit smoking by age 30 have the same risk for CVD as someone who has never smoked.
What are the recommended treatments for precursor conditions that lead to CVD?
- Behavior modification including regular exercise, quitting smoking, decreasing body weight, getting adequate sleep, and making healthier dietary choices.
- Treating other precursor conditions with their respective medication (ie taking beta-blockers, aspirin, statins, or ACE inhibitors as prescribed to treat underlying conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol)
What causes atherosclerosis?
A combination of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors that lead to high cholesterol levels.
Between 75 and 85% of the cholesterol in the human body is naturally made in the liver. Having high cholesterol from genetics is referred to as Familial Hypercholesterolemia and is caused by a genetic mutation where the body cannot remove LDL from the blood, regardless of how high HDL levels are.
