Condition & Symptoms - Level 2
Goal: Continue to build CAD knowledge; reinforce understanding of CAD risk factors.
Possible Action Steps
- Discuss the major risk factors for CAD. Help to identify his/her risk factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Smoking, tobacco, second-hand smoke exposure, e-cigarettes
- High blood pressure (above 140 systolic and above 90 diastolic)
- High blood cholesterol:
- with one or two risk factors: LDL above 130 mg/dL
- with many risk factors LDL above 100 mg/dL)
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Lifestyle factors – Inactivity, Poor diet, Poorly managed stress
- Being Overweight or obese – BMI over 25
- Encourage them to check and record blood pressure and weight at least 3 times per week.
- Strive to check and record blood pressure and weight every day
- Discuss his/her most recent numbers for blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol.
- Together, figure the individual’s BMI using a BMI calculator. BMI over 25 is a risk factor for CAD.
- Together, compare numbers (blood pressure, weight, cholesterol) to targets set by their physician.
- Find out if they smoke or use tobacco. If so, see Smoking/Tobacco Cessation Section.
Supporting Resources
Goal: Continue to instill the importance of self-management behaviors to better control CAD. Work on achievable small step changes.
Possible Action Steps
- Together, review individual’s actual numbers and key targets for blood pressure, blood cholesterol and weight.
- Discuss benefits of daily blood pressure and weight checks.
- Have individual take notice when blood pressure and/or weight increases.
- Have individual take notice when adjustments in self-care (fewer cigarettes, being active, diabetes control, reduced sodium/salt intake) lead to improvements in blood pressure.
- Work together to identify one or two small-step changes. Options to consider:
- Reduce smoking or other tobacco use with a plan to quit (see smoking section).
- Reduce sodium/salt intake to <2000 mg sodium daily (see nutrition section).
- Walk for 30-60 minutes, 4-6 days each week (see physical activity section).
- Pay better attention to medication schedule (see medication section).
Supporting Resources
Goal: Work to ensure that they understand the importance of properly checking their blood pressure each day.
Possible Action Steps
- Ask if they know how to use a blood pressure monitor and if they already own one for home use.
- Ask if they know what their blood pressure is and what their targets are. (Recommended numbers are below 140 systolic and below 90 diastolic.)
- Ask if they would purchase (if they don’t have one) a blood pressure monitor and track their BP at least a few times in the coming week or month.
- Ask to keep a log of blood pressure readings and compare to their targets.
Supporting Resources
Goal: Help individual understand how CAD can worsen complications from the flu & pneumonia; learn how to identify and prevent flu & pneumonia.
Possible Action Steps
- Discuss the warning signs for the flu and pneumonia.
- Discuss the importance of vaccinations to help prevent the flu and pneumonia.
- Together, make a plan how they can get immunized for flu and pneumonia if they haven’t done so already.
Supporting Resources
Goal: Have them identify what is a priority with regard to how they feel and function.
Possible Action Steps
- Work to choose a small action step to work toward that is important to them. Step should focus on building knowledge, tracking key biometrics, or monitoring the things that help and things that hinder. (We handle nutrition and physical activity elsewhere.)
- Problem solve together about how to work this small step into their daily life.
- Ask them to commit to taking a small action step in the upcoming week.
Supporting Resources