Discuss psychological implications for cardiovascular conditions
Cardiovascular disease development is often associated with psychological factors. The link between the condition and the implications for a person’s psyche might create a vicious circle. In recent years, there have been researches on the subject matter, and so far, scientists put forward a viable hypothesis. A body’s response to acute and chronic stress might moderate the intactness of the cardiovascular system (Lagraauw, Kuiper, & Bot, 2015).
If like in the case of Mr. L, a condition emerges and progresses, it puts a major strain on a person’s activities and might even impair his or her quality of life. Mr. L.’s disease was so severe that he had to undergo surgery and receive a coronary artery bypass. Now that he has to do everything possible to recover and maintain a normal lifestyle, he might feel stressed. The anxiety that he might be experiencing might aggravate his condition completing the circle.
It is not readily easy to speculate as to how Mr. L’s disease impacts his productivity and job satisfaction. In case the accident that led to the surgery happened in the workplace, Mr. L. might have developed PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Among obvious implications of PTSD is the feeling of anxiety when exposed to the same environment where the accident happens (Hughes, Lusk, & Strause, 2016). If it is the case, Mr. L. might be struggling with feeling happy and safe at work. However, if he is mentally stable and has fully recovered, the only thing which he might worry about is job-related stress. The case description states that his activity on the job is moderate. It is possible to assume that his work routines do not increase his adrenaline and cortisol level and, hence, the likelihood of a repeated accident.
Discuss vocational issues for individuals with coronary artery disease
Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The symptoms of coronary heart disease include chest pain or the feeling of pressure in the chest area which may be accompanied by painful sensations in the neck, jaw, arms, or stomach (Tousoulis, 2017). Other common symptoms involve sweating, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, irregular heartbeat, breathlessness, and numbness (Tousoulis, 2017).
If a person experiences these symptoms in the workplace, he or she might not only lose their ability to fulfill their duties but also be at risk of an adverse or even lethal outcome. The work that Mr. L. does requires a certain level of precision and other people, namely, truck drivers, depend on his expertise and safety provision. If he feels dizzy or nauseous at work, he might lose concentration and make mistakes.
Since Mr. L underwent surgery, he will have to make changes to his lifestyle which might interfere with his work activities. For instance, in the first weeks after the surgery, he will need to visit his doctor regularly to monitor his chest for infection and clean the chest incision. Since working hours and appointments might overlap, Mr. L’s employer might want to consider flexible working hours for the recovery period.
Another adjustment that the employer might make is delegating Mr. L. easier tasks for which he would not be pressed for time so that his stress level remains low. Generally, Mr. L. should avoid lifting heavy objects; however, only his doctor can specify whether he should or should not fulfill such duties. Usually, beyond ten weeks, patients are allowed to return to their routines fully, including challenging physical activities.
References
Hughes, C., Lusk, S. L., & Strause, S. (2016). Recognizing and accommodating employees with PTSD: The intersection of human resource development, rehabilitation, and psychology. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 28(2), 27-39.
Lagraauw, H. M., Kuiper, J., & Bot, I. (2015). Acute and chronic psychological stress as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: Insights gained from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 50, 18-30.
Tousoulis, D. (2017). Coronary artery disease: From biology to clinical practice. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.