Lifestyle factors In the presence of cardiovascular disease, management of lifestyle choices becomes critical. Intake of caffeine and alcohol should be limited to moderate levels, if at all. Patients should also work to achieve an adequate amount of sleep, during which time the body repairs tissues and delivers nutrients. Patients should also eliminate smoking, which is unfortunately a powerful addiction and can remain compelling even after a heart attack or battle with cancer. There are many resources and proposed avenues to quit. The exact solution is person-specific, and patients may need encouragement and support from their providers. Patients should also consider strategies to manage and reduce stress. Deleterious effects of excessive stress are well documented. Certain activities such as yoga help mitigate stress as well as improve strength and flexibility. Group exercise classes offer social support. Hobbies such as painting or the adoption of a pet have been effective for certain individuals. The chosen avenue is an individual’s choice, which may take time for them to consider. Healthcare professionals can be a resource and advocate for patients to appropriately manage their stress and promote overall wellness (Thompson & Ozemek, 2023). Harvard scientists found that patients experiencing high levels of baseline stress presented with greater activity in a part of the brain called the amygdala . As measured by MRI, elevated activity of the amygdala accurately predicts inflammation in the blood vessels. Over time, these participants were found to suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke (Mazzarelli, & Trzeciak, 2019).
Case study #1 Jane is an active 44-year-old schoolteacher. She regularly engages in circuit weight training and group aerobics classes. For several weeks, Jane has noticed a feeling of lethargy and fatigue during both her workouts and daily activities. Her physician referred her to a cardiologist, who discovered that her mitral valve was not fully functional. Her left ventricle was showing early signs of distention. He recommended valve replacement surgery. After successful surgery, Jane began a low-intensity rehabilitation program, consisting mostly of walking at first. Her therapist gradually increased both the duration and intensity of exercise until she returned to her previous fitness level. Moving forward, she was cautioned to avoid extreme exertion such as sustained maximum sprinting/jumping and maximum lifting, and to avoid the Valsalva maneuver (forced exhalation against a closed glottis. With these guidelines in place, she has returned to her previous activity levels. Case study #2 Jerry is a 72-year-old retired postal worker. He has been feeling slightly more tired than usual lately but doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about. One afternoon while doing light yard work, Jerry became very weak and had a hard time catching his breath. He was taken to the hospital, where an exam revealed he was suffering from atrial fibrillation. His ejection fraction was down to 0.31. The cardiologist recommended installing a pacemaker accompanied by an AV node ablation. A pacemaker was installed to maintain a steady heart rate, not to exceed 140 beats per minute, so Jerry was told to avoid intense exercise. A chemical AV node ablation was completed, with both atria and ventricles hooked up to the pacemaker. Within two weeks, Jerry began a gradual walking program. He was easily “winded,” so the therapist had him walking around the room so that he was always near a chair. As Jerry’s strength improved, he noticed pain in his feet. His therapist noted that this is actually a good thing, as his improving circulation was feeding nerves that had been dormant. Jerry was advised to resume moderate activities and continue to work in his garden.
Conclusion The human heart is marvelously capable of moving nutrient- carrying blood through thousands of miles of vessels by beating upwards of 3 billion times during our lives. Maintaining constant output requires incredible structures and functional coordination. In examining the heart and vessels in greater detail, we see how brilliantly adapted the gross and microscopic cardiovascular architecture has become to fill uncompromising demands from our bodies. As complex as the system is, it nevertheless follows certain principles of physical and life sciences that allow for a beautifully elegant explanation of its guiding mechanisms, functions, and outputs. It is hoped that the principles discussed here will provide learners with a foundational understanding of the heart’s primary purpose and the underlying principles driving its sustained function. In turn, this enables healthcare professionals to optimize service and benefit their patient population.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/chronic-cardio
EliteLearning.com/Massage-Therapists
Book Code: MLA1225
Page 56
Powered by FlippingBook