Core 1 - Focus Question 2 Flashcards
What are the priority issues for improving Australia’s health? (17 cards)
Define cardiovascular disease (CVD) and describe its nature
Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that describes the different diseases and conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Many forms of CVD are caused by atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. The two common types of CVD in Australia are coronary heart disease and stroke
Define atherosclerosis as a cause of CVD
Atherosclerosis is a condition where deposits of fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the inner lining of the arteries to form plaque. This build up hinders the flow of blood causing increased blood pressure, reduction in the oxygen delivered to muscles and hinders the function on the heart.
Define arteriosclerosis as a cause of CVD
Arteriosclerosis is a degenerative disease and develops as the fatty or fibrous deposits build up and the arteries become harder and elastic.
Describe heart attacks (acute myocardial infarction) as a type of coronary heart disease
A heart attack is a life threatening event that occurs when a blood vessel (coronary artery) supplying the heart is suddenly blocked by atherosclerosis, threatening to damage the heart muscle and its functions.
Describe angina as a type of coronary heart disease
Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. The narrowed arteries allow enough oxygenated blood to flow to the heart ot enable everyday activity, but chest pains or tightness occurs when the heart becomes overloaded by exertion, excitement or overeating. In most cases, rest relieves the pain and heart muscle recovers without permanent damage.
Describe the nature of cerebrovascular disease as a cardiovascular disease
- Cerebrovascular disease is a broad category of diseases which include stroke and other disorders of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
- Stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain either suddenly becomes blocked (ischaemic stroke) or ruptures and begins to bleed (haemorrhagic stroke).
Describe the nature of cardiomyopathy as a cardiovascular disease
- Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart where the entire heart muscle, or a large part of it, is weakened. - Heart failure occurs when the heart begins to function less efficiently in pumping blood around the body. It can occur suddenly, although it usually develops slowly as the heart gradually becomes weaker.
- Heart failure can result from a variety of diseases and conditions that impair or overload the heart e.g. heart attack, high blood pressure, damaged heart valves or cardiomyopathy. Symptoms include chronic tiredness, reduced capacity for physical activity and shortness of breath.
Describe the nature of peripheral vascular disease as a cardiovascular disease
- PVD is the reduced circulation of blood to a body part outside of the heart and brain. It occurs most commonly in the arteries leading to the legs and feet and often the result of atherosclerosis.
- Warning symptom include: tingling sensations in the feet and tightness (cramping) in the legs and glutes, particularly after exercise. In serious cases it can lead to gangrene and subsequent amputation of the foot or limb.
- Nine out of 10 people with PVD are smokers.
Describe the extent of CVD mortality
- Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia
- CVD is the second leading cause of death group (25%) in 2022, behind cancers (30% of all deaths)
- Death rates (prevalence) are decreasing due to a reduction in the levels of risk factors e.g. health promotion efforts to reduce smoking levels and advanced medical care and treatment e.g. improved diagnostics, better emergency care, medication to lower blood pressure and diabetes control
Describe the extent of CVD morbidity
- The prevalence of CVD remains high in Australia
- Approximately 6% of adults have CVD
- In 2021, there were 600,000 hospitalisations for CVD, representing 5.1% of all hospitalisations in Australia
- Prevalence and incidence is decreasing
Describe the modifiable risk factors of CVD
- Physical inactivity: obesity, high blood pressure and high fat levels
- Poor diet: saturated fats can raise blood cholesterol levels
- Smoking: tobacco is absorbed into the bloodstream damaging blood vessels and increases the formation of plaque and clots
- Stress
- Type 2 diabetes: high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, more likely to develop atherosclerosis
- Obesity: excess body fat contributes to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure: CVD increases with hypertension. Can overload the heart and blood vessels and speed up atherosclerosis.
Describe the non-modifiable risk factors of CVD
- Age: physical effects of ageing increase risk of CVD
- Sex: males are at a greater risk of developing CVD.
- Oestrogen production in females helps protect the artery walls (no effect after menopause)
- Family history - people with a family history of CVD tend to be more likely to develop CVD
Describe the protective factors against CVD
- Regular physical activity
- Balanced diet: high in fibre, low in saturated fats and salt
- Avoid smoking
- Manage stress
- Low consumption of alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
What are the sociocultural determinants that influence CVD?
- Family history increases risk of CD
- Family influences lifestyle and behaviours e.g physical activity, diet
- Peers influence behaviours e.g. peer pressure to smoke
- Asian people are less prone to getting CVD due to generally low fat diet
- ATSI people are more at risk due to low SES and education
- Media exposure of health campaigns = reduction in smoking = declining trends for CVD
What are the socioeconomic determinants that influence CVD?
- Education increases knowledge of risk and protective factors to make more informed decisions to promote health e.g. increase physical activity
- Blue collar workers may have higher levels of smoking, alcohol consumption and high fat diets
- Higher income influences access to a healthy lifestyle such as purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables and using exercise facilities.
What are the environmental determinants that influence CVD?
- Geographical location: people living in rural and remote areas increase mortality due to longer wait times for ambulance
- Limited access to health services = less likely to receive an early diagnosis, lack access to specialists e.g. cardiologists, surgeons
Identify the groups at risk of developing CVD
- males: oestrogen in females protect artery walls
- the elderly: physical effects of ageing increase risk
- people with a family history: CVD is hereditary
- low SES: limited education and income
- rural and remote areas: limited access to facilities and healthcare services
- ATSI peoples: 2x more likely to develop CVD
- blue collar workers: higher levels of smoking, alcohol consumption and high fat diets
