Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, read Chapters 12, 13, and 14 from the textbook and the following sources:
Environment, Culture, Other Social Determinants Play Big Role in Heart HealthLinks to an external site.
Environmental Determinants of Cardiovascular DiseaseLinks to an external site.
Taking Action for Circulatory Health and Sustainable DevelopmentLinks to an external site.
For this discussion, you are assigned a case scenario based on the first initial of your last name (see table below). Based on your assigned topic, create an initial discussion post that is a minimum of 250 words and addresses the topics listed below in the table. All referenced materials must include citations and references in APA format. Please see directions for including APA Style elements on these Writing Center pages: APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site. and Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site..
Patient D:
Althea—Thea—is a 67-year-old female who is a retired nurse and widowed. Thea is 5′8″and weighs 192 pounds. Her weight is evenly distributed. Thea smokes and drinks heavily, though very few people know how much alcohol she consumes. Her husband died three years ago from pancreatic cancer. She has two children who are in their 40s. One of her children died from leukemia five years ago.
Thea lives in a 200-unit independent-living senior apartment building. She moved in two years ago after selling the house she and her husband lived in for 42 years. Thea gets little to no physical activity. She spends most of her day watching television or playing games online. She does not actively engage with her neighbors and she has a very limited social life. Her children have busy lives with their careers and family, so they see her once every few months. Her weekly outings are usually to the grocery store. She rarely goes anywhere else .
In your discussion,
Describe the genetic, lifestyle, and cultural-social risk factors in the assigned scenario. Explain how these increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
Discuss environmental factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as identified in the scenario.
Identify at least two environmental factors that contribute to the onset of disease processes described in the scenario.
Discuss how the environmental factors change the system function leading to cardiovascular disease
Cultural-Social Factors: Althea's social isolation is a critical cultural-social risk factor. Since her husband's death and her move, she has a limited social life and rarely engages with neighbors or her children. Social isolation and loneliness have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by elevating stress hormones and inflammation. Her grief over the loss of her husband and child may also be contributing to her unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking and heavy drinking. This is a classic example of how psychological distress can manifest as physical health risks.
Environmental Factors and Their Impact
The environment in Althea's scenario also poses risks to her cardiovascular health.
Physical Environment: Her move to a new independent-living apartment building, while providing shelter, has created a physically isolating environment that limits her activity. Her previous home of 42 years likely provided a familiar space for gardening or neighborhood walks, which are now absent. This lack of access to a stimulating and familiar outdoor environment contributes to her sedentary lifestyle.
Social Environment: The social environment of her apartment building, while offering a community, is not one she is actively engaging with. Her limited social life means she is not receiving the health benefits of social support, which can buffer the effects of stress and promote healthy behaviors. This social isolation is an environmental factor that directly impacts her well-being.
Tobacco Use: The air quality, specifically from her smoking, is a significant environmental factor. The chemicals in cigarette smoke, including carbon monoxide and nicotine, directly damage the lining of blood vessels, leading to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) and increasing the workload on the heart. This is a clear environmental factor that changes system function.
How Environmental Factors Change System Function
Environmental factors like tobacco smoke and social isolation directly alter physiological systems, leading to cardiovascular disease. The toxins from cigarette smoke cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which damage the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels). This damage is the initial step in the formation of plaque, which narrows arteries and leads to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, chronic social isolation triggers a stress response, elevating cortisol levels. Sustained high cortisol levels can lead to hypertension, increased blood sugar, and fat accumulation, all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease. The combination of these genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors creates a synergistic effect, exponentially increasing Althea's risk for a cardiovascular or respiratory event.
Sample Answer
Althea's Cardiovascular and Respiratory Risk Factors
Althea's case presents a complex interplay of genetic, lifestyle, and cultural-social risk factors that significantly increase her risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
Genetic Factors: While her weight is evenly distributed, Althea's family history is concerning. Her husband died from pancreatic cancer, and her child died from leukemia. Although these aren't directly linked to cardiovascular disease, a family history of cancer can sometimes indicate broader genetic predispositions to disease, including chronic inflammation or immune system dysfunction, which can indirectly affect heart health.
Lifestyle Factors: Althea's lifestyle is a major contributor to her risk. She is 67, overweight (BMI of 29.2), smokes, and drinks heavily. Smoking is a direct cause of a range of cardiovascular and respiratory issues, including lung cancer, COPD, and atherosclerosis. The nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels, putting strain on her heart and increasing her blood pressure. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure