Question

Case Study
 Evelyn, age 57, is a very active lady in the community. She volunteers at the hospital and also at her church. Lately she had been feeling weak and short of breath and has had some minor chest and leg pains. She has also been having headaches. She knows she is 20 pounds overweight but still has been able to get around fine without any significant trouble. Her physician told her that she has hypertension and some atherosclerosis. She was surprised to hear this because, until recently, she has felt fine. She asked him why she has these problems at this time. He stated that some of this is probably due to heredity but some is related to her lifestyle.

 What is Evelyn's diagnoses?

Name four symptoms of Eveyln.

Name four controllable factors contributing to Evelyn’s atherosclerosis. 

Name three non controllable factors contributing to Evelyn’s atherosclerosis.

Which of the two factors ( controllable and non controllable) do you think would be worse for patients? Why? ( 4-5 sentences)

Answer 1

1)Diagnosis of Evelyn's is atherosclerosis.

2)Symptoms of Evelyn's are minor chest pain, shortness of breathing, weakness and headache.

3) four controllable factors are:-

Lack of physical exercise

Smoking

Obesity

Unhealthy diet

4) Three uncontrollable factors are:-

Older age

Family history of heart disease

Being post menopausal

5) controllable factors:

Smoking:- It is a major cause of atherosclerosis because it build up of fatty substance in the arteries which thickness and block the flow of blood through the arteries.

Unhealthy diet:- food that are high in saturated and trans fat along with bad cholesterol can cause narrowing of arteries.

Uncontrollable factors:-

Family history of heart disease:- A family history of premature coronary heart disease is associated with the independent risk factor for atherosclerosis because the arteries become weaker and narrowing in coronary heart disease.

Old age:- After 45 year of age the hormonal imbalance takes which leads to deposit of fat calcium and fibrous tissue in the arteries which narrowing them.