Condition & Symptoms - Level 1
Goal: Partner with the individual to find out what they understand about CAD.
Possible Action Steps
- Learn what they currently know about CAD
- Find out whether they can simply describe CAD. Assist in a simple-to-understand description
- Ask if they know what happens when an artery is narrowed or blocked by plaque. Discuss answer, making sure that they know the correct answer
- Find out if they know why it’s important with CAD to quit smoking and/or keep diabetes under control
- Understand how they perceive the causes of CAD. Clear up misconceptions
Supporting Resources
Goal: Help build awareness of CAD terms, symptoms and outcomes.
Possible Action Steps
- Ask them to recall any words/terms related to CAD that they don’t full understand. Talk about the meaning of each.
- Review some key CAD terms (plaque, cardiologist, cholesterol, atherosclerosis, angina, heart attack and stroke).
- Ask them to identify any symptoms that they attribute to CAD.
- Ask if they know what happens during a heart attack or stroke. Discuss the individual’s answer, making sure that they know the correct answer.
- Find out if they know what to do if they think they are experiencing a heart attack or stroke (HINT: Call doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.)
Supporting Resources
Goal: Work with the individual to find out what they know about the risk factors for CAD.
Possible Action Steps
- Find out if they know the major risk factors for CAD. (HINT: overweight/obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, inactivity, family history of CAD.)
- Ask them to talk about what they believe are their risk factors for CAD.
- Make a list of the individual’s risk factors for CAD and circle the ones that are under their behavioral control.
- Find out if there is one risk factor for CAD they would like to try and change.
- Develop a plan to make a small-step change in one risk factor for CAD. Ask them to try it out in the upcoming week.
- Find out if they use tobacco – even one puff off a cigarette in a week is considered active tobacco use. See next goal if they are an active tobacco user.
Supporting Resources
Goal: For tobacco users with CAD, build awareness about the added danger of smoking, tobacco use and e-cigarettes.
Possible Action Steps
- Discuss how smoking and other tobacco and e-cigarette products contribute to making CAD worse (HINT: Nicotine constricts blood vessels; this can lead to blood vessel constriction, heart attack and stroke.)
- Discuss the single most important step they can take to slow the progression of CAD – Stop smoking and the use of all tobacco/nicotine products.
- Discuss how second hand smoke negatively impacts CAD.
- Ask them to talk about their daily exposure to second hand smoke.
Supporting Resources
- See CAD Tobacco/Smoking Section.
Goal: Help identify what is a priority for the individual with regard to how they feel and function.
Possible Action Steps
- Ask them about their life priorities.
- Find out if they are having difficulty with pain and/or fatigue.
- Discuss how their life priorities conflict with how they feel and function.
- Together, identify a small action step to work toward what is important to the individual.
- Ask them to commit to take a small action step to feel and function better.
Supporting Resources
Goal: Help the individual get more out of interactions with healthcare providers, family, and friends.
Possible Action Steps
- Identify key members on the individual’s team – doctor, nurse, spouse, partner, family member, friend, neighbor, etc.
- Discuss how to best use a loved one or close friend for support.
- Together, role-play to help them feel comfortable asking questions to a healthcare provider.
- Ensure that all necessary appointments are scheduled.
- Discuss whether they have transportation to get to clinic appointments.
- Find out if they know what to do if they think they are having a heart attack or stroke. (HINT: Call doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.)
Supporting Resources