Dietary Education Program for Patients at High Risk of Coronary Heart Dissertation

Dietary Education Program for Patients at High Risk of Coronary Heart Disease - Dissertation Example Conclusion and Recommendations P. 47 – P. 50 10. References P. 51 – P. 55 11. Bibliography P. 56 12. Appendices P. 65-83 Tables Table 1 Boolean Table P. 22-23 Table 2 Search Terms Acknowledgement My sincere thanks to people who have helped in the formulation of this paper, from the initial typing of the draft to the editing and correction my heart is filled with thanks. To my supervisor who painstakingly made corrections and suggestions, and to my classmates who also provided inspiration and suggestions, my personal appreciation and thanks. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to fulfil my academic obligations. Abstract Coronary heart disease is a common sickness and a major killer among industrialized countries of the world, Hong Kong not excluded. While we are considered advanced in many areas, in technology, the sciences and in medicine, we have forgotten how to deal with sickness and the common risk factors that kill our people. This is due primarily to our contin uing lifestyles of inactivity and continuous energy intake without regard for the kind of food we take. There are many suggestions contained in the literature on how to reduce CHD risk factors and deaths but the best suggestion so far is education. Through education available for patients and people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and CHD, we can reduce the risk factors and mortality of the disease. The aim of this study is to provide a dietary education approach for long term treatment of people at risk of CHD. Our conclusions and recommendations provided this approach and this is a combination of several strategies. The strategies include a community based education programme for patients and persons at high risk. The program should use the Mediterranean diet, or a pattern of fish, fish oil, olive oil, fruits and vegetables, which has to be combined with physical exercise. Other programmes include the INFO, PEP, FIT, which recommends healthy habits and physical exercise. Th e method used was review of the literature. The critique provided was a comprehensive study that applied various dimensions to include theoretical aspects, ethical issues, including the methodologic concepts, interpretations and presentation methods. The themes are all about dietary education to reduce the risk factors for CHD and to prevent myocardial infarction or cardiac event. In the reviews, we found the themes to be the focus for discussion and the influence of the body of the literature. Changes in major risk factors have positive effects in CHD mortality rates. Common risk factors are almost similar in many studies, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, obesity and diabetes. A study in Hong Kong concluded that for the period 1989 to 2001, CHD mortality was reduced by 78% due to improvements in treatment and education/information provided to patients and families. Compared to CHD mortality rates in western countries, Hong Kong’s was very low. Treatment, educati on and control of risk factors were attributable to reduction in CHD mortality rates. Chapter 1 Introduction Hospital Authority’s plan of action for the next five years addresses the issue of enhancing quality health care and patient-community relationship, along with adequate resources in meeting healthcare needs. The strategic planning process was led by the Hospital Authority Board and participated in by 750 stakeholders composed of patient groups, representatives, clinicians and heads of agencies. The Strategic Plan introduced a framework for healthcare workers and professionals