PT Associated with Primary Prevention & Risk Reduction

Objectives

  • Apply prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion principles in cardiovascular/pulmonary care.

  • Describe primary prevention interventions for cardiac/pulmonary diseases.

  • Identify modifiable and non-modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors.

  • Apply common treatment interventions for at-risk populations.

  • Use health promotion skills for populations at risk of cardiopulmonary disease.

Risk Factors

  • Modifiable: Atherosclerosis, smoking, cholesterol, hypertension (HTN), diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, psychosocial factors.

  • Non-modifiable: Age, sex, ethnicity, family history, genetics.

Atherosclerosis

  • A major factor for coronary heart disease, reversible via lifestyle changes.

  • Begins with endothelial injury leading to plaque formation.

  • Results in endothelial dysfunction affecting blood flow regulation.

Cigarette Smoking

  • Raises risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD), lung cancer, and COPD.

  • Causes chronic lung damage, airway obstruction, and increases myocardial oxygen demand.

  • Smoking cessation interventions: education, nicotine replacement therapies, counseling.

Cholesterol

  • LDL-C contributes to atherosclerosis; HDL-C helps remove lipids from circulation.

  • Total serum cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL indicate risk.

  • Interventions include lifestyle changes and statins for high cholesterol.

Hypertension

  • Affects 23% of adult Americans; leads to vascular damage and increased CVD risk.

  • Management involves lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatment.

Diabetes

  • Linked to glucose utilization issues; can lead to several complications.

  • Management includes monitoring, dietary modification, and regular physical activity.

Obesity and Physical Inactivity

  • Controversial role as a direct risk factor; often linked with metabolic syndrome.

  • Regular exercise improves many cardiovascular risk factors; non-vigorous activity is beneficial.

Family History and Gender

  • Positive family history increases CVD risk based on age and gender of relatives.

  • Gender impacts CVD risk; post-menopausal women have increased risk similar to men.

Psychosocial Factors

  • Chronic stress, depression, low socioeconomic status increase CVD risk.

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) correlate with health risk factors in adults.