Cardiovascular Health

Question 1

Define: cv health

Answer 1

health of the heart and blood vessels.

Question 2

this NHPA:

Answer 2

• Aims to promote cardiovascular health in the ENTIRE POPULATION (not just in those with CVD)

Question 3

improved cardiovascular health directly relates to

Answer 3

reduced levels of CVD

Question 4

Define: cvd/heart/circulatory disease

Answer 4

includes all diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Question 5

types of cvd?

Answer 5

hypertension, coronary heart diseases, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (affects extremities)

Question 6

type of cvd depends on

Answer 6

area of body affected by blocked blood vessels

Question 7

does it often develop over several years, showing up in later life?

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

main cause of cvd?

Answer 8

atherosclerosis

Question 9

Define: atherosclerosis

Answer 9

build-up of plaque on the walls of blood vessels, which narrows the passages that blood can pass through.

Question 10

what’s the plaque made up of?

Answer 10

cholesterol (the “glue”), other fatty substances, human tissue and calcium

Question 11

describe how buildup of plaque leads to cvd

Answer 11

o When the plaque thickens it can narrow or completely block blood flow.
 When narrowed, strain on the heart and the organs/muscles that the blood is being pumped to occurs.
 When completely blocked, blood can’t transport oxygen to cells and cells can die.

Question 12

why is cvd a nhpa

Answer 12

• Contributes significantly to burden of disease (particularly YLD as cardiovascular disease can often lead to death)
• Contribute significant cost to both individuals and communities (cost the health system $7.7 billion in 2008-09)
• Often preventable (in particular, the lifestyle related determinants leading to CVD)

Question 13

direct costs to indv?

Answer 13

• Ambulance transport for heart attack
• Patient co-payments for medications to lower BP
• Patient co-payments for doctor/specialist services

Question 14

direct costs to comm?

Answer 14

• Medicare contribution for bypass surgery (for blocked arteries)
• PBS contributions for essential medicines eg. BP medication
• Private health insurance fund contributions towards treatment in private/rehabilitation hospitals
• Funding for health promotion programs eg. Live Lighter

Question 15

indirect costs to indv?

Answer 15

• Changes in living conditions (eg. needing to install ramps in home if bound to wheelchair)
• Social and financial changes (eg. having to hire housekeeper)

Question 16

indirect costs to comm?

Answer 16

• Loss of productivity
• Social security and other government payments
• Cost of carers

Question 17

intangible costs to indv?

Answer 17

• Mental health issues like stress and anxiety (often results in death)
• Pain and suffering associated with recurring symptoms, eg. chest pain and heart attacks
• Lifestyle changes – missed social experiences, rehabilitation, dietary changes

Question 18

intangbile costs to comm?

Answer 18

• Stress and anxiety for family and friends if diagnosed with related condition (and grief if they die)
• Lifestyle changes for family members to assist in caring for them after heart attack, stroke or surgery

Question 19

biological dets?

Answer 19

Body weight
• Increases levels of hypertension and blood cholesterol, and places strain on the heart
Blood cholesterol
• High BC increases risk of plaque build up on artery walls
Blood pressure
• Increases risk of heart attack/stroke, indicates the heart is already working harder.
Diabetes (a risk factor)
Age
• as age increases, heart loses efficiency and basal metabolism decreases, making weight management harder
Genetic predisposition
• Increased chance if family members have
Sex
• Males tend to be apple shaped, store fat around the abdomen and heart which is risk factor

Question 20

behavioural dets?

Answer 20

Tobacco smoking
• Increases BP, contributes to plaque build up
Excess alcohol consumption (leads to obesity)
Insufficient physical activity (leads to obesity)
Poor dietary behaviour
• Too many calories leads to obesity
• Too much fat leads to high blood cholesterol
• Not enough fruit and veggies: has nutrients that might reduce CVD risk; might snack on energy dense alternatives

Question 21

physical environment dets?

Answer 21

Environmental tobacco smoke
Air pollution
• Can cause individuals to inhale chemicals which increase rate of atherosclerosis
Noise pollution
• Prolonged noise exposure can increase stress and hypertension
ALL OF OBESITY

Question 22

social dets?

Answer 22

Low SES
• More likely to be obese
Social exclusion
• More likely to smoke and consume excessive amounts of alcohol
Unemployment
• Higher stress levels
Occupation
• Less control over job means more CVD
• High stress jobs more likely to develop CVD
Food insecurity
• Can lead to reliance on processed foods
Stress
• Long periods produce physical changes that increase risk of heart attack and hypertension
Early life experiences
• Healthy weight in childhood are more likely to have healthy weight later in life
• Habits in early life may carry through to later years.

Question 23

health promotion campaighn

Answer 23

quit campaign

Question 24

qc: who?

Answer 24

Victorian Government (including VicHealth), cancer council and National Heart Foundation

Question 25

qc: aim?

Answer 25

to decrease the prevalence of smoking (by assisting current smokers to quit) and preventing the uptake of smoking in non smokers. This in turn reduces risk of CVD and some cancers.

Question 26

qc: describe quitline

Answer 26

phone hotline that helps people to quit.
• On the first cell they discuss smoking history, motivation to quit and understanding their smoking habit. Then they set up a plan to quit – with advice about quitting strategies/products, and on how to manage cravings etc.
• Users can arrange times for the QuitLIne to call them.
• Online equivalent

Question 27

descripe the website

Answer 27

provides health risks of smoking and benefits of quitting
• Gives information about the health risks of smoking (poisons like tar and CO) and long term (like cancers and CVD)
• Gives info about the health benefits of quitting, in time increments
• Calculates monetary cost of smoking
• Tips on preparing to and staying quit (like managing nicotine withdrawal, cravings and triggers)