Coronary Heart Disease and effects of Modern Medication

Question 1

Cholesterol

Answer 1

• Fatty like substance, which is essential for life.
• Needed for a healthy nervous system, good digestion and to produce important hormones
• Most cholesterol is made in the body by the liver (blood cholesterol)
• Eating foods rich in cholesterol such as egg yolk, shell fish, and liver does not cause a problem.
• The real problem lies in eating foods high in saturated fats.

Question 2

Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL’s)
(Bad Cholesterol)

Answer 2

• Smoking, emotional stress, diets high in saturated fats increase LDL levels.
• LDLs more likely to cause plaque formation
• High LDL levels are a high risk factor for CHD
• A healthy diet can help control LDL levels.

Question 3

High Density Lipoproteins (HDL’s)
Good Cholesterol

Answer 3

• Protective against the development of atherosclerosis.
• Acts as a scavenger. Hoovers up LDLs.
• Bring LDLs back to the liver for recycling.
• Diet does not appear to increase HDL levels but exercise may increase levels of HDLs.

Question 4

Saturated Fats

Answer 4

Found in butter, cheese, meat fat, cakes, biscuits, crisps and chocolate increase LDLs

Question 5

Monounsaturated Fats

Answer 5

e.g. olive oil, rapeseed oil and polyunsaturated fats e.g. sunflower oil, nuts and oily fish have been found to lower LDL levels

Question 6

Exercise guidelines regarding HDL’s

Answer 6

• Always seek doctors clearance prior to taking up a new exercise regime.
• Always perform a gradual warm-up and cool- down for min of 5-7 mins before and at the end of each exercise session.
• If chest pain is experienced during exercise, call for medical assistance immediately.
• Try to exercise with a friend and always carry a mobile phone so that help may be contacted quickly if required.
• If prescribed, always carry Nitroglycerin
• Stop exercising immediately if dizziness, nausea, unusual shortness of breath or irregular heart beats are experienced. Contact doctor.
• Avoid exercising in hot, humid or very cold weather

Question 7

Nitroglycerin

Answer 7

A nitrate that widens blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them and
easier for the heart to pump

Question 8

Program for clients with CHD

Answer 8

• Frequency = 4-5 times per week
• Intensity = moderate intensity dynamic exercise,
  gradually increasing to 60-85% MHR, 4-7 RPE
• Time (duration) = total exercise duration should be gradually increased to 30-60 mins.
• Bouts of 10 – 15 minutes.
• Type = aerobic exercise (long gradual warm-up and cool-down);

Question 9

Meds used for hypertension

Answer 9

• ACE Inhibitors e.g. captopril, enalapril, lisinopril
• Diuretics e.g. hydrochlorothiazide
• Beta Blockers e.g. atenolol and metoprolol

Question 10

Common meds effect on exercise

Answer 10

• ACE inhibitors prevent vasoconstriction of blood vessels
• Diuretics act on the kidneys and cause increased urine output - leads to lower blood plasma volume, helps lower BP.
• Beta Blockers block the effect of epinephrine (hormone released in response to stress) on the heart.

Question 11

Statins

Answer 11

prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood to prevent heart attacks and strokes

Question 12

Dyslipidemia

Answer 12

Abnormal blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.

Question 13

Exercise Guidelines for Dyslipidemia

FITT

Answer 13

• Aerobic Exercise
• Frequency: ≥ 5 days per week to maximize calorific expenditure.
• Intensity: 40%-75% MHR/HRR
• Time: 30-60 min per day.
• Type: Involving large muscle groups e.g. walking, cycling swimming