Chapter 14: life threatening health problems Flashcards
Two Leading Life Threatening Illnesses Are…
Cancer and heart disease
Family’s focus with getting news
- Mortality is the main issue that concerns patients and family
- Survival rates now are much higher than in the past (cancer and heart disease). Due to early diagnosis
Optimism leads to
better perceived psychological functioning and better recovery.
Coping with Life Threatening illnesses
People tend to have an avoidance coping at first, but after diagnosis people tend to switch to problem-focused coping.
- Behavioural
- Cognitive
- Role of Family and Close Friends
Behavioural Coping
- Lifestyle changes (e.g. exercise and diet)
- Developing regular activities (can serve as a distraction - problem is that most people overestimate their abilities, and most people fall out of behaviour change programs.)
Cognitive Coping
- Finding meaning in illnesses (Post traumatic growth)
- Gaining a sense of control over illness (taking control over health - fighting the illness, perceived control)
- Restoring self-esteem (some people’s self-esteem can be boosted through diagnosis, done through comparison to other less fortunate people)
Role of family and close others on coping (social support network)
- People with low perceived social support have poorer adjustment when diagnosed with a condition
- Could be a cycle of dependence due to patient helplessness and family nurturance.
- Want to help the person but not make them feel as if they’re helpless
- Self-help and support groups can help individuals cope some people may feel they have to be part of these groups rather than wanting to be.
- Family sometimes plays an active role in planning treatment.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
illnesses that result from the narrowing and blocking of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood
- With lack of oxygen to the blood organs will start to deteriorate, and the body will begin to shut down.
- e.g. Atherosclerosis, Angina pectoris, Myocardial infarction
Atherosclerosis
condition where plaque begins to build up in the arteries and cause narrowing
Angina pectoris
pain due to atherosclerosis, as when arteries are clogged pressure will build up
Myocardial infarction
When the narrowing is so severe that blood isn’t passing through, your heart becomes deprived, which leads to a heart attack
Symptoms of a heart attack
- Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back
- Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat, fatigue, feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- May only experience 1-2 of the symptoms, it varies by person.
- Females experience different symptoms
Risk Factors for CHD
- Non-modifiable risk factors
2. Modifiable risk Factors (Biological/lifestyle, Psychosocial)
Non Modifiable Risk Factors for CHD
- Genetics/family history (hypertension and cholesterol)
- Gender (Men have increased incidence of heart disease)
- Age (especially above the age of 45)
- Ethnicity (Canadian aboriginal and African Canadians people tend to have higher incidence)
Could be due to access to health care, lifestyle factors, or psychosocial factors
Modifiable Risk Factors for CHD
Biological/lifestyle - Hypertension - Cigarette Smoking - High Blood Pressure - High total cholesterol levels and low density lipoproteins - Physical inactivity - Diabetes - Obesity Psychosocial - Hostility - Mental illness - Stress - Low social support - Treatment Delay`
Factors with Positive Results for CHD
- Regular exercise: Strengthens heart muscle, pupming ability
More blood flow, which means there’s an increase in O2, Capillaries widen (as there’s more oxygenated blood flowing through) Can boost the “cleansing system” - Optimism - Study found women who were more optimistic had a 30% lower rate of cardiac mortality
Other CHD modifiers can include…
- Attitudes (e.g. cynical hostility)
- Health Behaviours (e.g. smoking)
Psychophysiological processes (e.g. inflammation, autonomic dysfunction)
There’s less information about women with CHD as…
previous research of CHD has been done only with men. Leading many to being unaware of the “silent symptoms” that women experience during CHD.
CHD and women
- CHD is a leading killer of women in Canada and most developed countries
- Women are protected at younger ages relative to men
- Tend to have higher levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein)
- When women are younger estrogen diminishes the Central Nervous Systems arousal
- Women have a higher risk of CHD after menopause
Medical Treatments for CHD (With Atherosclerosis)
Balloon angioplasty, Bypass surgery
What is Balloon angioplasty
insert a balloon into the vessel, blow up the vessel with the balloon, and insert a metal stent to keep it open
What is Bypass surgery
send blood to healthier parts of the body rather than the injured area
