NURSING ASSIGNMENT

Nursing Assignment

Nursing Assignment

INTRODUCTION

This assignment is based on the histories of patients and to protect the confidentiality of patients, their identities have not been disclosed in this assignment. Coronary Heart Disease accounts for approximately 5% of all medical admissions to hospital (National Service Framework, Department of Health 2000). Its prevalence is expected to continue to rise over the next several decades due to decreased mortality from cardiovascular disease and the growth of the elderly population. The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in Wales (The National Assembly for Wales 2001) sets aims to health authorities, local health groups and the Specialist Health Services Commission for Wales in tackling CHD within Wales. The key actions for heart failure patient care is to provide a comprehensive and cost effective heart failure service for all, and to implement an agreed pathway for the care of those with chronic heart failure. An agreement reached with 1-2 tertiary centres to assess resistant/end stage heart failure patients within an agreed protocol and the development of a strategy for the palliative management of symptomatic endstage heart failure.

RATIONALE FOR TREATMENT

Cardiovascular diseases remain extremely common and the United States and are the single most common cause for death in both men and women. Many risk factors including cigarette smoking, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and in inactive lifestyle carry a significant lifestyle component. This fact is recognized in the National Guidelines for the Treatment of many risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, lifestyle intervention, in combination with proper medical and/or surgical therapy can play a significant role in the management of existing cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide background and rationale for interventions to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease with a particular emphasis on intervening to improve lifestyle related issues. To achieve the best outcomes clinicians must be skilled not only in pharmacologic and surgical therapies but also in counseling patients on various lifestyle interventions to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

SYMPTOMS OF CHD

Heart attacks can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and if not treated straight away, can be fatal. If you think that you are having a heart attack, you should dial 999 for immediate medical assistance.

If you have coronary heart disease, you may experience heart palpitations. Heart palpitations occur when your heart beats irregularly, or harder than normal. It is important to realise that heart palpitations are not necessarily linked to coronary heart disease, and if you experience them, you should not worry unduly. However, it is always best to have it checked out by your GP.

Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease. The heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body, which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breath. Heart failure can happen suddenly (acute heart failure) or gradually, over a period of time (chronic heart failure).

Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease. It can be a mild, uncomfortable feeling that is similar to ...