Part 5 The Rossi Family
5.4 Rossi family case study 3: Elisabeth Rossi – Strong family history of heart disease: health promotion
Dima Nasrawi and Donna Wilson
Introduction to case study
Learning Objectives
By the end of this case study, you should be able to:
- Identify the impact of a chronic cardiac diagnosis within a person’s immediate family.
- Identify the importance of early management of cardiac risk factors.
- Determine the importance of lifestyle modifications in improving health outcomes.
Scenario
Elisabeth lost her mother 5 years ago when she was only 14. She continues to grieve her loss, is very attached to her father and lives in constant fear of losing him. Her father’s recent experience of a myocardial infarction has triggered painful memories from the time her mother was in hospital. As a result, Elisabeth has become more attentive to her family’s medical history and is now curious to know more about her own cardiac risk factors. As she became more aware of the extent of her anxiety about losing her father, she realised she needed help with her mental health. She is now communicating with a psychologist through telehealth. As Elisabeth lives in a rural area with few friends close by within her age group, she feels quite isolated. Talking with her psychologist is the only source of support she has to help with her current emotional turmoil and state of mind.
Thinking points
The Heart Foundation Australia has developed many resources for people of all ages who are experiencing, or might have concerns about developing, heart disease. Elisabeth may benefit from accessing the Heart Foundation website to learn more about:
- Heart disease risk and risk minimisation strategies: Am I at risk?
- Young Hearts resources and podcast: Supporting young hearts podcast
- Healthy nutritional advice: Healthy eating to protect your heart
- Healthy exercise and lifestyle advice: Physical activity and your heart health
A young person in a similar position to Elisabeth may wish to access additional support services to manage their anxiety, such as speaking with a psychologist in person or via telehealth. In Australia, there are many public and private offerings for telehealth, and Elisabeth may do well to discuss her options with her general practitioner or community nurse.
Case study questions
- Do you think Elisabeth currently presents risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease?
- What type of risk factors for cardiovascular disease could Elisabeth develop in the future?
- What self-management strategies could Elisabeth follow to reduce her risks of developing cardiovascular disease?
Key information and links to other resources
- Heart Foundation: Supporting young hearts events – including great sessions supporting young individuals such as heart to heart and connecting heart, minds and people virtual meetup.
- Heart Foundation: Cardiovascular disease risk calculator – the calculator helps individuals and healthcare professionals calculate a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 5 years.
- NSW Health: Virtual care – one of many telehealth options available in the state of NSW, in Australia.
Healthy hearts: Pathophysiology of risk factors
- Risk factors for heart disease can be different for each person, ranging from serious to mild. It is important to remind Elisabeth that with self-management strategies she can improve her heart health.
- One way Elisabeth could reduce her risk of heart disease would be to make daily positive changes to her lifestyle, including regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
- Some non-modifiable risk factors for heart disease include age, sex, ethnicity and family history.
- It is important that Elisabeth has regular health checks to test her blood pressure, cholesterol levels and risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Regular check-ups by her general practitioner and being seen for a heart health check will help Elisabeth to detect early signs of cardiovascular disease.
Further resources regarding the modifiable risk factors can be found on the Heart Foundation website.
Case study 3 summary
Elisabeth could be facing a new set of health concerns as she deals with the changes in cardiac health for both her father and grandmother. This has brought up new anxieties of her own as she reflects on the pain of having lost one parent and her worries about her own cardiac health into the future. As health professionals, we can play a significant role in empowering individuals like Elisabeth to be proactive in looking after their own health through health promotion strategies and education. Armed with skills and knowledge to make sound decisions that can reduce her risk of developing cardiac illness, Elisabeth can not only reduce her anxieties about her health, but also contribute to her living a long, happy and healthy life.
Suggested readings
Heart Foundation. (n.d.) Are you at risk of heart disease? https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/bundles/your-heart/are-you-at-risk-of-heart-disease