Nursing 231 – Task 2 2000 Word Essay
Sharon Watkins Student Number: 1065277 Word Count: 2,069
Sharon Watkins: 1065277
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Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a coronary artery disease (CVD) that affects the lives of many Australians. Various genetic, social economic and environmental factors increase the risk of AMI. This essay covers CVD in Australia, the major modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that cause AMI. How the nurse’s role in managing patients at risk through planning, education and holistic environment improves patient health outcome, their ability to cope and access support. Utilising Australian Nursing & Midwifery Competency standards (AMNC) as a guide for nurses to provide quality nursing care and planning. Advantages of collaboration with other allied health professionals and organisations to assist educating AMI patients on modifiable risks enabling better management of disease, awareness of early warning signs and improve life expectancy. AMI and Risk Factors CVD risk factors studies have proven smoking, elevated serum cholesterol, obesity, elevated blood pressure and sedentary lifestyle increase risk of AMI (Brown and Edwards, 2011). National Heart Foundation of Australia’s 2010 statistic states 45,000 deaths in Australia resulted from cardiovascular disease and 1.4 million Australians are affected by CVD (“National Heart Foundation of Australia,” 2007a). Atherosclerotic plaque is the predominant cause of AMI causing arterial walls to thicken from fibrous tissues and accumulation of lipid forming atheroma plaques (Woods et al, 2010). Resulting in occluding coronary artery preventing oxygen reaching myocardium tissue causing ischaemia and necrosis (French, 2012). Lack of myocardial oxygen causes numerous conditions including CVD, coronary artery emboli, thrombus, coronary artery spasm, severe haematological and coagulation disorders, myocardial contusion and congenital coronary artery
Links: Zwar, N, Borland, R, Richmond, R, Peters, M, Litt, J, Bell, J, Caldwell, B, Ferretter, I, 2011. Supporting smoking cessation: a guide for health professionals, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.