Introduction
Heart attack is a leading cause of death for both men and women in America. It is not a contagious disease. This makes this health issue very interesting and at the same time so devastating because it is preventable and that there is no need to die prematurely. This means that a heart attack can be prevented provided that the “at risk” individual is willing to change his or her lifestyle – particularly those pertaining to diet, vices, and physical exercise. Prevention can be achieved using health education and intervention techniques. Yet it is not enough to bombard the public with health messages; there is a need to deliver health education and intervention methodologies using community based resources.
Overview
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of the heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood is not restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die” (NHLBI, 2008). Below are the other names for a heart attack that were used interchangeably in journals and periodicals consulted and these are listed as follows:
- Myocardial infraction;
- Acute myocardial infarction;
- Acute coronary syndrome;
- Coronary thrombosis; and
- Coronary occlusion.
Heart attacks occur mostly due to coronary artery disease (CAD) and less frequently due to severe spasm or tightening of a coronary artery (NHLBI, 2008). Coronary artery disease or CAD is due to the build-up – after a long period of time, of a fatty material called plaque – on the inner walls of the coronary arteries.
Plaque build-up is due to the presence of cholesterol which in turn is due to maintaining an unhealthy diet such as frequenting fast-food restaurants and consuming meat products with heavy fat content. There is therefore a need to educate the American public with regards to the consequences of nutrition and that eating is not merely an act to deal with hunger pain but it is an activity that will help nourish the body as well as prevent deadly diseases.
In the case of the circulatory system, the consumption of unhealthy food rich in fats will significantly increase the chances of acquiring CAD. It must be added though that even if the individual is following a strict diet there is still a possibility that he or she will die prematurely from a heart attack. As mentioned earlier the second major cause of a heart attack is severe spasm or tightening of the artery. It is not yet clear what really causes coronary spasm but experts say that it is related to the following (NHLBI, 2008):
- Drug abuse e.g. cocaine;
- Emotional stress or pain; and
- Cigarette smoking.
Smoking is an urgent concern because unlike cocaine and other illicit drugs it is highly accessible. No underage youth can be imprisoned due to the possession of cigarettes but they can be incarcerated with the possession of banned substances such as cocaine. This is the reason why since 1964, “…negative health consequences of smoking have become common knowledge in the United States and many other parts of the world” (Spijkerman, 2007). Thus, an anti-smoking campaign must be incorporated into the health education campaign and as well as the development of intervention strategies in the drive towards reducing the impact of CAD.
There is a correlation between improper diet, obesity, lack of exercise and smoking cigarettes. Improper diet will result in obesity, which in turn will increase plaque build-up because, “If you’re overweight … you have a greater chance of having abnormal levels of blood fats” (NHLBI, 2008). This is exacerbated by the lack of exercise in modern American society. Cigarette smoking on the other hand will significantly increase the likelihood of premature death due to CAD. Based on the preceding discussion the proponent of this paper would like to limit the focus on three factors that causes coronary artery disease: 1) diet; 2) obesity and the need for exercise or increase physical activity; and 3) the need to stop smoking cigarettes.
Prevention
In order to reduce the incidence of heart attacks there is a need for education and intervention. Those who are at risk are people who are obese, have high cholesterol as the direct result of having an improper diet, and those who smoke regularly. Health education must focus on the importance of eating correctly. The target audience must be made to understand that in order to reduce the possibility of developing CAD they must, “Consume a variety of ‘nutrient-dense foods and beverages within the basic food groups while limiting intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterols, sugars, and salt” (Miner, 2008). There is also a need to consume more fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to obesity, health education strategies must aim for behavior changes not only in terms of diet but also in the awareness of the impact of physical activity or the lack thereof. Numerous researchers had documented the fact that increasing physical activity is the best way to lose weight in conjunction with proper diet (Meriwether, Lobelo, & Pate, 2008). A recent report from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) revealed that overweight adults who maintained their weight over 15 years reduced the likelihood of developing heart problems (LaFontaine, 2008). Thus, a significant reduction in weight will result in more health benefits.
When it comes to smokers they must be made to understand the risks associated with smoking cigarettes (Spijkerman, 2007). Researchers are now sure that, “Cigarette smoking is a strong risk factor for acute ischemic cardiac events such as myocardial infarction and sudden death” (Karakaya et al., 2007). But most of the time these things are easier said than done. There is a need for strategic intervention. The proponents of the Body & Soul Project – a collaborative effort between the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society – decided to use the resources of churches to help those who have health problems. This project was created based on the fact that the leaders and members of a particular church can effectively inspire, encourage, and guide those who are in dire need for such types of assistance (Campbell, 2007). Thus, it is clear that education is not enough; there is a need for effective intervention in order to reduce the incidence of heart attacks in the United States.
Conclusion
There is a correlation between improper diet, obesity, and cigarette smoking when it comes to increasing the likelihood of developing CAD. The steady consumption of cholesterol rich foods can also lead to the steady build-up of plaque overtime. It is common knowledge that food intake is not done randomly but a product of social factors. Therefore it is not enough to simply initiate an information campaign without considering the social aspect of the American diet. If health education will be used to improve quality of food intake then it must be strategic targeting families not only school children.
Aside from raising the awareness level when it comes to cholesterol rich foods it must also be pointed out that exercise or increasing the physical activity of Americans can reduce the incidence of CAD. Obesity increases the level of harmful fats in the body and this will initiate a chain reaction of events that will lead to a heart attack. Again, it is not merely enough to bombard people with random information. The benefits of exercise must be delivered in a comprehensible manner that can immediately encourage behavior change in both men and women.
But even if a person is a health buff willing and ready to cut down on junk food and fat laden meats, the same can still be at risk if he is a regular smoker. Smoking can increase the possibility of a heart attack through the condition called coronary spasms where there is a tightening of the arteries. According to multiple studies kicking the smoking habit will not only benefit the heart but other organs as well (Spijkerman, 2007). This provides more incentive to stop smoking but just like the previously mentioned campaign to encourage healthy eating and physical exercise among Americans these things are easily said than done.
Health education and intervention strategies must be created having social factors in mind. It is not possible to create these strategies in a vacuum without considering culture, language and to some extent ethnicity. Aside from the need to consider social factors it is also obvious that there are people who do not have the willpower to change. This group requires the help of other people to encourage them and to show them the way. They need others to intervene for them and save them from destruction. The Body & Soul project must be commended for documenting the impact of church-based programs that effectively utilizes the resources available in a church community. The pastors and the members of the church will help create an environment that will guide, encourage, and discipline those who are at risk and yet lack the capability to make the necessary steps to reduce eliminate destructive behaviors.
References
Campbell, M. et al. (2007). Process Evaluation of an Effective Church-Based Diet Intervention: Body and Soul. Health Education Behavior. Sage Publications 34(6): 864-880.
Karakaya, O. et al. (2007) Acute Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Heart Rate Variability. Angiology. Sage Publications. 58(5): 620-624.
LaFontaine, T. (2008). Physical Activity: The Epidemic of Obesity and Overweight Among Youth: Trends, Consequences, and Interventins. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Sage Publications. 2(1): 30-36.
Meriwether, R., F. Lobelo & R. Pate. (2008). Clinical Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Youth. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Sage Publications. 2(1): 7-25.
Miner, M. (2008). Patient Education: This Practitioner’s Ignorance of Diet, Nutrition, and Exercise: A Call to Education. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Sage Publications 2(1): 43-45.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2008). “What is a Heart Attack?” Web.
Spijkerman, R. (2007). Perceptions of Smoking and Nonsmoking Peers: The Value of Smoker and Nonsmoker Prototypes in Predicting Onset and Regular Smoking Adolescents. Health Education & Behavior. Sage Publications. 34(6). 897-910.